PLATTSBURGH, NY – Last night, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY-20) in hosting a rally to fight back against Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid. Held in Plattsburgh, Sen. Welch and Rep. Tonko spoke to a crowd of more than 175 New Yorkers and Vermonters about the importance of protecting this essential health coverage program. They also called out Republicans’ attempts to kick seniors, children, and people with disabilities off Medicaid to pay for a tax cut for those who don’t pay their fair share.  

“This is about health care and the well-being of every American. President Trump and Republicans’ budget would cut care for those who need it most, all so they secure tax cuts for billionaires—that’s an acceptable deal to them. But as far as I’m concerned, there is no acceptable cut to health coverage,” said Senator Welch. “So while Republicans are attempting to finance a tax cut for the ultra-wealthy, Democrats will continue working to protect access to Medicaid for communities small and large and work to lower costs for hardworking families and seniors.” 

See photos from the event below:  

More than 157,000 Vermonters rely on Medicaid for their health coverage and access to care. Medicaid provides around 41% of children in Vermont with health care, and nearly 2,000 births per year are covered by Medicaid. More than 38,000 people with a disability in Vermont are covered by Medicaid. More than 60% of nursing home residents in Vermont rely on Medicaid to pay for the care in the nursing home. Every hospital in Vermont serves Medicaid beneficiaries. The Republican budget threatens to slash Medicaid funding by a third, which means 32,000 rural residents in Vermont could lose their coverage.  

In New York, nearly 7 million people rely on Medicaid coverage. The Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid could result in 590,000 kids and more than 150,000 rural New Yorkers losing coverage. More than 1 in 5 seniors in New York would lose their nursing home care.  

Nationally, nearly 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Medicaid covers nearly a quarter of Americans in rural areas. Medicaid pays for nearly half of all births in the U.S., covers nearly half of all of America’s children, provides care to 2 in 3 nursing home residents, and provides peace of mind to 17 million women of reproductive age. More than 15.5 million Americans with a disability are covered by Medicaid.  

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