Sykes warns cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and health benefits will hurt many in 13th District
Tens of thousands of residents in Ohio's 13th Congressional District are at risk of losing health care coverage and essential assistance if changes sought by President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans are enacted, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes warned participants May 28 at a town hall discussion at the Fairlawn Kiwanis Community Center.
Sykes, D-Akron, who represents all of Summit County and parts of Stark and Portage counties, said the impact of cuts outlined in a budget bill passed by the House of Representatives would be felt throughout the district:
- Around 10,200 people could lose their Affordable Care Act coverage.
- Around 27,696 people could lose their Medicaid coverage.
- Around 23,000 people are at risk of going hungry by losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Some participants gasped, shook their heads and were heard uttering comments like "this isn't fair" as Sykes rolled off the projections.
She said more than 201,000 people in the district rely on Medicaid, which assists the elderly and disabled, children, pregnant women and people with mental health and substance problems. Cutbacks to the program will have a ripple effect beyond the affected recipients, she said, and create more havoc for the struggling economy.
"We are at a point where people are still struggling to make ends meet and this is not a good time to cut food assistance programs. Hospitals' bottom line are going to suffer with these Medicaid cuts, which mean they may have to lay off people or change their service delivery," Sykes said.
Sykes was joined by Abby Morgan, president and CEO of Direction Home of Akron-Canton, and Norm Wernet, the state director of the Ohio Alliance of Retired Americans. Both were on hand to speak about the impact of the pending legislation on senior citizens.
During a question-and-answer session, residents asked if there is can do to stop advancement of the bill, which is now in the Senate.
"I encourage everyone to talk to us, your state representatives, and tell them your stories about the negative effect this bill will have," said Sykes.
What's in Trump's new budget cut plans and how is it affecting Ohio?
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, as many as 500,000 Ohioans could lose Medicaid coverage under federal legislation that aims to enact President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The U.S. House passed a sweeping budget bill last week that would slash Medicaid and food stamps, cut taxes and roll back climate policies. The measure would make unprecedented changes to the Medicaid program, which serves over 3 million patients in Ohio.
While Republicans who backed the bill say Medicaid restrictions will help the government save hundreds of billions of dollars, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that it would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $625 billion, the decrease in revenue expected to result from millions of Americans losing their health insurance may exceed those savings.
By: Alisson Toro-Lagos
Source: Akron Beacon Journal