What’s in a Name? The Fight for Medicaid, No Matter What They Call It
Millions Could Lose Health Care, But We Can Stop It
Yesterday, the House of Representatives took a dangerous step forward with their budget proposal. If we don’t act now, millions of people could lose their health care. But here’s the thing: this fight isn’t over.
Republicans in the House just passed a blueprint of what they want to do. Now, the Senate and the House have to come together, sort out their differences, and finalize the details. And that’s where we come in.
Why Aren’t More People Alarmed?
One big reason this isn’t making waves yet is that many people don’t realize they are on Medicaid. That’s because in a lot of states, Medicaid goes by another name.
In California, it’s Medi-Cal.
In New Mexico, it's Centennial Care.
And in Tennessee? It’s TennCare.
People love their TennCare, their Medi-Cal, their MassHealth, but they don’t always know these programs are Medicaid. That’s exactly what Republicans are counting on. They hope they can gut Medicaid without people realizing what’s happening until it’s too late.
This reminds me of all the people who love the ACA but hate Obamacare.
This Fight Is Winnable
There are 17 House Republicans who barely won their seats in 2024. They are vulnerable, and many represent districts where tens or even hundreds of thousands of people will lose health care if this budget passes.
*UPDATED Feb 27. The number of people losing healthcare from this source.
📍 Arizona - Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
🔹 David Schweikert (AZ-01) – 127,526 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-2190
🔹 Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) – 171,293 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-2542
📍 Colorado - Health First Colorado
🔹 Gabriel Evans (CO-08) – 180,730 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5625
📍 Iowa - Iowa Medicaid
🔹 Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) – 150,537 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-6576
🔹 Zach Nunn (IA-03) – 175,790 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5476
📍 Michigan - Michigan Medicaid Program
🔹 Tom Barrett (MI-07) – 130,737 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-4872
🔹 John James (MI-10) – 182,180 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-4961
📍 Nebraska - Nebraska Medicaid
🔹 Don Bacon (NE-02) – 120,574 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-4155
📍 Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Medical Assistance
🔹 Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) – 196,648 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-6411
🔹 Scott Perry (PA-10) – 168,832 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5836
🔹 Robert Bresnahan (PA-08) – 229,659 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5546
📍 California - Medi-Cal
🔹 David Valadao (CA-22) – 507,388 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-4695
🔹 Ken Calvert (CA-41) – 238,694 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-1986
📍 New Jersey - New Jersey FamilyCare
🔹 Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07) – 70,213 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5361
📍 New York - New York Medicaid
🔹 Mike Lawler (NY-17) – 230,372 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-6506
📍 Virginia - Medicaid
🔹 Jen Kiggans (VA-02) – 129,815 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-4215
📍 Wisconsin - BadgerCare Plus
🔹 Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) – 152,992 losing healthcare
📞 (202) 225-5506
These Republicans barely won their seats. If their constituents know what they are trying to do, they will be held accountable. They need to feel the pressure.
Here’s What You Can Do Right Now:
✅ Spread the word. Use the name of the program people recognize in their state. Talking about Medicaid might not click, but TennCare, Medi-Cal, or BadgerCare will.
You can use this website, or this website to find the right name.
✅ Call these representatives. Tell them their voters are watching, and cutting Medicaid, no matter what they call it, is unacceptable.
✅ Show up. Encourage people to attend town halls and ask them directly why they are trying to take health care away from their own communities.
They are scared. Look at this news story from today:
House Republicans hit the brakes on town halls after blowback over Trump's cuts
”Party leaders suggest that if lawmakers feel the need to hold such events, they do tele-town halls or at least vet attendees to avoid scenes that become viral clips, according to GOP sources.
A GOP aide said House Republican leaders are urging lawmakers to stop engaging in them altogether.”
We can stop this. But it takes all of us speaking up and making it clear: Medicaid, no matter what they call it, must be protected.
Let’s get to work.
PS: I feel terrible that on my last Substack post, I told you that “the next post is going to be uplifting!” and then I tested positive for COVID on Saturday, and I’ve been in bed since then. This budget situation is too important to postpone so please accept my apologies.
Republicans consistently win the propaganda war by being reductive. They do this with immigration. Immigrants are either legal or criminal. They do it with the federal government. Government is bloated and evil. Must be cut. CliffsNotes messaging is wildly misleading but incredibly effective.
Such a smart point to bring up!
(and I hope you feel better soon)