AFSCME Challenges Lawmakers Over Budget Bill Threatening Medicaid

Public Workers Rally Against Proposed Budget Cuts Impacting Medicaid and More

Community outcry is growing louder as federal budget proposals threaten to slash vital services like Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, all while offering tax breaks to billionaires. In Colorado, U.S. Representative Gabe Evans faces criticism for supporting these potential cuts, which could affect a significant portion of his constituents.

In Northglenn, Colorado, public service professionals, including Sharon Sherman, gathered to hold Evans accountable for his vote. Sherman, a bilingual patron experience associate, emphasized that Medicaid cuts would severely impact her community. "These cuts are a choice, not a necessity," she stated. "Health care and nutrition assistance for seniors, people with disabilities, children, and low-income families isn’t waste, fraud, and abuse. It’s what keeps our communities strong and healthy."

The Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing reports that nearly one-third of Evans’ district relies on Medicaid. This figure includes 214,218 individuals, among whom 8,997 have disabilities, who could lose their health care coverage if the budget is enacted.

Federal funding constitutes nearly a third of Colorado’s revenue, according to a report, supporting critical services for children, veterans, and senior citizens. As the Senate passed the bill, attention now shifts back to the House for further approval.

Nevada's Response to Potential Budget Cuts

In Nevada, similar actions are taking place as AFSCME Local 4041 members and other unions urge Governor Joe Lombardo to prepare for the potential fallout. They express concerns over the state's reliance on federal funding, with 27% of Nevada’s revenue sourced federally, heavily supporting Medicaid.

Rosina Barrientos, a member of Local 4041, highlighted the severe impact of the proposed cuts. "The people of Nevada are being asked to give up health care and nutrition to hand piles of money to billionaires. We say to Congress: Nevadans are not ATMs for the super-rich," she emphasized. "Stop the cuts."