Slashing Medicaid is an Immediate Threat to America

Jack Kupferman, Edith Cresmer, and Norman Siegel at the rally in Foley Square, NYC

Jack Kupferman delivered these remarks at a protest rally in Foley Square, NYC, opposing the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” Reconciliation Bill. The rally was organized by renowned civil rights attorney Norman Siegel.

Slashing Medicaid is an immediate threat to America, to every American, and is contrary to democratic values of the USA.

Even more dire, it is a planned distraction to make us focus on the evil presented and distract us from the eager desire of Republicans to install an authoritarian regime in the USA. We must be successful in thwarting this slashing of Medicaid.

Medicaid and Democracy

Medicaid's relationship with democracy is multifaceted, influencing political engagement and participation. Medicaid expansion can increase voter turnout and political participation, while Medicaid cuts or restrictions may lead to a decline in these areas.

The program's design, including eligibility requirements, benefit scope, and administrative processes, can significantly impact how people perceive their connection to the political system.

A Concrete Example: The Dirty Diaper Bill

Let me offer an important example of how the draconian proposed cuts suggested work toward the reduction of opportunities to participate in democracy and will result in desperate results for older persons, especially those who are already vulnerable.

We, at Gray Panthers, call this bill the Dirty Diaper Bill, a more apt description.

A close friend of mine, who is a nursing home administrator, explains what will happen:

I have a very simple request: let us please brand the bill that just passed the House as “The Dirty Diaper Bill.” Again: Dirty Diaper Bill.

Let me explain: I am a nursing home administrator. Our money comes from Medicaid reimbursement. This bill will slash Medicaid reimbursement. What’s the number one expense in nursing homes? Staff. Immediately, nursing homes will be forced to cut their staff.

Call bell wait times will increase and residents will be forced to spend hours sitting in their feces and urine, waiting for somebody to help them. This will lead to UTIs, bed sores, and ultimately death.

But before people die, they will suffer, abandoned to sit in their own filth. Many Americans don’t even know what Medicaid is, but everybody understands that rash, helpless feeling of a dirty diaper.

I am not a politically savvy individual, but I absolutely refuse to call this bill big and beautiful. I have one simple ask: that you exclusively refer to this heinous proposal of legislation as the Dirty Diaper Bill, and spread that term until every American understands its consequences.

The Cost of Cuts

A high percentage of Medicaid dollars directly fund nursing homes—approximately more than $100 billion annually. Cuts to nursing home funding will be devastating.

Aside from the inevitable deaths ahead, residents, family, and staff will be overwhelmed. They will be even more forced to focus on survival as opposed to thriving. The underlying purpose is to dismantle the necessary supports and to undermine democracy in the process.

What is happening before us is beyond shocking and infuriating. The direct attack on the health care of Americans is sinful and is having waves of death. Recipients of long-term care are in the direct line of fire.

Consequently, unaffordable financial burdens face recipients and their families.

More than half of the direct care employees at nursing homes are people of color, and many are immigrants. In the event that nursing homes can’t pay their staff due to decreased reimbursements, they’ll have to reduce access, and many will shutter.

Take Action

WE must kill this life-killing Dirty Diaper Bill.

Contact every Republican Senator and demand that they vote against the Reconciliation Bill.

We must succeed. Too many lives—and our democracy—are at stake.

Sign our petition: https://chng.it/Yg5RXBLWcy