AFSCME Members Urge Congress to Reject Bill Cutting Medicaid Services

Educators Rally Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts Impacting Vulnerable Students

In a heartfelt appeal to Congress, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) are urging lawmakers to reject a contentious budget proposal. The bill, criticized for prioritizing tax cuts for billionaires over essential public services, threatens significant reductions to Medicaid and other crucial support programs.

Recently, two special education paraprofessionals joined the chorus of opposition in Washington, D.C. Their firsthand experiences underscore the potential harm the legislation could inflict on vulnerable communities.

Mary Townsend, with over 40 years of experience as a special education teaching assistant in Warwick, Rhode Island, is deeply concerned about the bill's implications. As the executive vice president of AFSCME Council 94, Townsend offers personalized support to her 17-year-old grandson, Andrew, who has significant disabilities requiring extensive medical equipment and support, all covered by Medicaid.

“Andrew relies on Medicaid for all his life-sustaining equipment,” Townsend explained. “I’m worried about all children who have special health care needs.” She traveled to the U.S. Capitol with a photo of Andrew to illustrate the personal impact of the proposed cuts.

Watch a video of Townsend discussing her visit to Capitol Hill.

Joining Townsend was Kristen Scott from Elk River, Minnesota. A dedicated educator for over two decades, Scott is a member of AFSCME Council 65. She works with students who require accommodations to attend school, many of whom depend on Medicaid at home and within their educational settings.

“A lot of the kids that I work with rely on Medicaid in their home life as well as at school,” Scott noted. She highlighted the potential ripple effect of the Medicaid cuts, which could impact not only individual students but also school budgets at large. “If they go through with the cuts they're proposing, it’s really going to hurt the kids I care for,” she added.

Watch a video of Townsend and Scott on why the Senate should reject the House-passed budget bill.

Their efforts are part of a larger movement by AFSCME members who have persistently advocated in Washington, D.C., against the bill that could undermine public services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. Townsend and Scott reiterate the urgency of persuading the Senate to halt these damaging cuts and continue supporting essential programs and services.

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