MICHIGAN FAMILIES DELIVER "REAL STATE OF THE UNION" AS TRUMP ADDRESSES CONGRESS
As President Trump delivers his State of the Union address to Congress tonight, Michigan Families for Fair Care hosted a virtual press conference featuring residents of Michigan's 7th and 10th Congressional Districts who shared The Real State of the Union: skyrocketing healthcare premiums, historic cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, and tariffs driving up the cost of everyday goods. All while Congressmen Tom Barrett and John James voted for a Republican Tax Law that delivered trillions in tax cuts to corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
The event brought together Joel, a Michigan veteran, Kimberly, a registered nurse, Diane, an ACA enrollee, and Alex, a local business owner to share how federal policy decisions are reshaping daily life across MI-07 and MI-10. Speakers called on Barrett and James to protect Medicaid, bring back the ACA premium tax credits, and end the tariffs raising costs for Michigan working families.
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"What is happening in real exam rooms, real emergency rooms and to real families not just here in Michigan, but across the country, on the ground the health care costs are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are the reason a patient waits three weeks with chest pain before they come in because they are afraid of what that bill would look like. They are the reason people split their blood pressure medication in half to make it last longer. And they are the reason why a diabetic skips follow up appointments starting off with a small wound and it ends up becoming a life threatening infection," said Kimberly, a Lansing-area nurse and MI-07 constituent. “I don’t see policy debate, I see real life consequences. When people delay care, routine problems become emergencies and wind up costing a lot more in the long run.”
“I live here. I’ve met [John James] once and that was by accident. He won’t hold a town hall. He won’t really meet with people and find out what our issues truly are. He basically does whatever he wants to do and puts on a good show. But he’s not doing anything for us.” said Joel, a veteran and MI-10 resident.
“In 2017, after I moved back to Michigan, the ACA was there as my insurance provider. One thing people have to understand is that Republicans [in Congress], ever since they got in office, want [the ACA] dismantled.” said Diane, an ACA enrollee, and MI-07 resident.
"While speeches are delivered in Washington tonight, the real State of the Union is playing out in living rooms across Michigan’s 7th and 10th Districts. We heard from a veteran who kept his promise to serve this country — and is asking John James to keep his promise to veterans. We heard from a nurse on the frontlines in MI-07, watching patients delay care as costs rise. We heard from a Michigander who depends on ACA premium tax credits — and is now being forced to choose between coverage and other basic needs. We heard from a small business owner in Macomb County trying to plan jobs and meet payroll while tariffs and rising material costs make stability impossible." said Jill, Regional Organizing Director for Michigan Families for Fair Care and MI-10 resident. “So our message is simple and urgent: Congressman Barrett & James - Repeal the Republican Tax Law that puts corporations and the ultra-wealthy ahead of working families and end the tariffs that are driving up costs.”
Speakers called on Barrett and James to take immediate action as rising costs continue to crush working-class Michiganders, including:
Protecting Medicaid for vulnerable recipients and bringing back ACA premium tax credits
Safeguarding SNAP so Michigan families do not have to go hungry
Fully funding healthcare for those who risked everything for our daily freedoms and rely on these benefits
Ending the tariff policies driving up everyday costs for Michigan families
