ICYMI: As Congressman Tom Barrett Remains Absent, Constituents Rally To End The Government Shutdown And Protect Health Care
Yesterday, Michigan Families for Fair Care led a rally outside the office of Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07), calling for an end to the government shutdown, which Republicans forced in order to increase health care costs.
With health care tax credits expiring soon, 64,000 Michiganders will see the cost of their health care premiums skyrocket, by an average of more than $700 dollars per month– a 131% increase. Instead of making these tax credits permanent and restoring Medicaid funding to ensure Michiganders can afford health care, Republicans in Congress shut the government down.
“A lot of veterans rely on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act tax credits for affordable, life-saving health care, and will continue to be hurt by the Republicans’ in Congress cuts to Medicaid and refusal to make these tax credits permanent,” said Steve Monti, a veteran and resident of Tom Barrett’s district. “I’m here to urge Tom Barrett to open the government, restore Medicaid funding, and prevent the cost of our health care from skyrocketing. This shouldn’t be controversial, but we have to make our voices heard.”
“Our representatives should be looking out for us,” said Cynthia Burton, a resident of Tom Barrett’s district. “Instead Tom Barrett voted to shut down the government and make it nearly impossible for tens of thousands of people here in Michigan to afford their health care. That’s irresponsible, and we deserve better from him.”
“Congressman Tom Barrett seems to have yet again turned his back on his own constituents,” said Steve Lawson, Executive Director of Michigan Families For Fair Care. “Michiganders are facing increasingly dire cuts to essential services and earned benefits, yet Tom Barrett is nowhere to be seen. He and his Republican colleagues need to support plans to reverse their harmful health care cuts, prevent health care costs from rising even more, and reopen the government.”
WILX: Federal government shutdown — latest on budget negotiations
