Tom Barrett, John James, And Bill Huizenga Are Taking Away Medicaid Coverage From Sick People

The Trump administration recently announced harsh new rules that will make it harder for Medicaid recipients who are already sick to keep their coverage. The requirements are part of the Republican Tax Law that Michigan Representatives John James (MI-10), Tom Barrett (MI-07), and Bill Huizenga (MI-04) all voted for almost one year ago.

Many Medicaid recipients with illnesses including cancer, HIV or AIDS, and end-stage renal could lose access to their health care if they don’t comply with the stringent new rules. As Jennifer Hoque of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network explained, cancer patients could “show up to chemo or show up for cancer surgery and find out they don’t have the coverage they need.” The medical community knows that these new rules have gone too far, with 48 patient organizations recently signing a letter warning of looming “devastating cuts” to Medicaid. 

As someone whose family depends on Medicaid, I was devastated to hear about these rules,” said Kim, an MI-04 resident whose son is disabled and relies on Medicaid coverage. “I can’t believe that my representative would vote for such a cruel policy that could cause so many people to lose coverage. Congressman Huizenga should be listening when we tell him that protecting Medicaid for people living with illnesses is more important than giving tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations.”

Hardworking families in Michigan and across the country are already struggling to afford basic needs, with prices in May rising at their fastest rate in three years. The last thing they need is for their representatives to add to that hardship by stripping away vital health care. Michigan Families for Fair Care is calling on Congressmen Huizenga, Barrett, and James to stop these dangerous Medicaid cuts and protect people with cancer and other serious illnesses from losing their health care.