This Women’s History Month, Congressmen Barrett and James Made Health Care Harder to Afford for Women Across Michigan
MICHIGAN - As Women’s History Month begins, women across Michigan’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts are facing a health care crisis driven by the votes of the congressmen who are supposed to represent them. Congressmen Tom Barrett and John James both voted for the Republican Tax Law, which enacted the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s history, let Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expire, and blocked Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood. Their votes stripped thousands of Michigan women of access to essential care including cancer screenings, birth control, prenatal services, and wellness exams. Rather than honoring the women who built and sustain their communities, Barrett and James voted to make it harder for them to see a doctor, afford their prescriptions, and protect their health.
The consequences of their votes are already being felt. Across Michigan, nearly 2.4 million people rely on Medicaid and women make up the majority of adult enrollees nationwide. Medicaid covers roughly four in ten births, and provides coverage for pregnant women, new mothers, and women managing chronic conditions that require consistent care. Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders are estimated to lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade as a result of the law Barrett and James voted for.
“As a nurse, I see women who are terrified about what is going to happen next. They’re worried about losing their Medicaid coverage. They’re watching their premiums skyrocket because Congressman Barrett let our health care tax credits expire. And now the clinics they count on for cancer screenings and birth control are closing their doors because of a law he voted for.” said Kimberly, a Lansing area nurse and MI-07 constituent. “Women’s History Month is supposed to honor the women who keep our families and communities going, but Congressman Barrett voted to take away the health care they depend on. He needs to hear from the women in this district, stop taking our health care to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,”
“Congressman James voted for a law that is gutting health care for women across Macomb County and the 10th District. Thousands of women in our community have lost access to the provider they relied on for their health needs, reproductive or otherwise, because of his votes. Our health insurance premiums have nearly doubled because of his refusal to help extend the tax credits that made coverage affordable.” said Kathy, a MI-10 resident. “Hundreds of Michigan women are being pushed off Medicaid entirely. This Women’s History Month, Congressman James should be standing up for the women who keep this district running. Instead, he’s voting to take away their health care. We need him to change course and fight to protect coverage for Michigan families.”
Michigan Families for Fair Care continues to inform residents of the 7th and 10th Congressional Districts about the real-world impact of policies supported by Congressmen Barrett and James. Our organization has launched a seven-figure accountability ad campaign featuring real Michiganders calling on their representatives to fight for lower costs before more families are priced out of their essential needs.
About Michigan Families for Fair Care
Michigan Families for Fair Care is a 501c(4) issue advocacy campaign devoted to educating the residents of Michigan’s 7th and 10th Congressional Districts on important economic issues and the impact of Congressmen John James and Tom Barrett’s votes in Congress.
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