The True Cost Of Cuts and Tariffs: Local Lansing Residents Speak Out About Congressman Barrett’s Devastating Policies
Last night, Michigan Families for Fair Care hosted a community health forum at The Fledge in Lansing to premiere a new digital ad highlighting how health care and tariff policies supported by Congressman Tom Barrett have driven up costs and threatened coverage for families across Michigan's 7th Congressional District. Community members, nurses, healthcare workers, and local leaders gathered to view the ad and discuss the growing affordability challenges facing working families.
The ad, "Ashley," explains how policies that Congressman Tom Barrett voted to support have made life more expensive and health care less accessible for families across the district. Barrett voted for the Republican Tax Law, which included billions in cuts to Medicaid over the next 10 years and let Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expire, causing premiums to more than double for thousands of his constituents. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, ACA marketplace premiums increased by an average of 114%, rising from $888 per year to $1,904 per year, hitting working families who rely on marketplace coverage the hardest. Additionally, Rep. Barrett’s support of tariffs comes at a time when Michiganders are now paying $1600 more annually for their regular expenses.
"As a nurse, I'm tired of watching my patients struggle to afford the care they need because of decisions made in Washington. People are skipping medications, delaying treatment, and getting sicker because Congressman Tom Barrett supported policies that cut health care funding and let prices skyrocket," said Ashley, nurse and Lansing-area resident featured in the ad. "These cuts are hitting working class people who are just trying to take care of their families. We're the ones paying the price while the ultra-wealthy get tax cuts. Congressman Barrett needs to start putting MI-07 families first."
Additional Photos Can Be Found Here.
Michigan Families for Fair Care will continue on our mission by sharing ads with stories from people like Ashley who are seeing firsthand the consequences of needless cuts to health care.
