WASHINGTON, D.C.–On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. Senators Al Franken and Sheldon Whitehouse joined 300 community, faith, and labor leaders at the Medicaid Matters Across Generations forum, which was also sponsored by Senators John Kerry, Robert Menendez, Jay Rockefeller, and Barbara Mikulski.
During these final days of federal budget negotiations, the forum brought together members of Congress with grassroots leaders to demand a fair, balanced, and principled approach to the deficit.
“Too many of our elected leaders are stuck in political gridlock in Washington while our opponents are committed to the wholesale destruction of Medicaid,” said AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker, who moderated the event. “Medicaid shouldn’t be on the chopping block, nor should it be a partisan football—this is our lives and it’s not about a win or a loss in the news cycle. This is about fundamental human needs and workable solutions.”
The event featured testimony from seniors, children, people with disabilities, and others who would be hit hardest by proposed budget cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.
Community leader Randy Jackson said, “My mom lost her retirement security in the economic crisis, and has since had to sell her apartment. Her healthcare security is also at risk, and she is now working as a home companion for seniors to make ends meet. I’m very concerned about how I will be able to care for her in the years to come.”
The proposed cuts would not only be devastating to millions who need care, but they would also hurt state economies. The loss of business activity due to just a 5 percent cut in federal Medicaid spending would result in a severe job loss in every state across the country, according to FamiliesUSA.
“Today’s forum is a resounding call against cuts to Medicaid,” said Senator Rockefeller. “Policymakers in Washington need to hear loud and clear how important Medicaid is to the 68 million families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities who depend on it in good times and bad. Ripping out this safety net would have devastating consequences, forcing financially strapped states to cut health coverage for millions of people.”
Medicaid Matters Across Generations speakers asked Congress to protect access to quality care, and to promote solutions that will create jobs and balance the deficit over the medium to long term.
The forum was part of the July 12th activities marking the launch of Caring Across Generations, a national grassroots campaign that aims to secure dignity and respect for Americans with long-term care needs, as well as for care workers. The campaign focuses on the interdependence and interconnectedness between care recipients and caregivers, and proposes federal solutions to expand affordable access to care, job creation, and support for working families.
“Caring for the aging and people with disabilities is one of our most important responsibilities as a nation,” said Ai-jen Poo, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “That means protecting the vital services we have—Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security—and creating the quality care jobs, training, and family support that we need.”
The forum was attended by representatives of Caring Across Generations, AFL-CIO, SEIU, AFSCME, the PICO National Network, Alliance for a Just Society, Community Catalyst, the Campaign for Community Change and many other organizations.
Photo by Lacy Macauley