Senate Passes Medicaid Cuts Bill Threatening 17 Million Health Coverage

A controversial budget reconciliation bill recently passed by the Senate with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote is facing strong opposition as it heads to the House for final approval. Activists and advocacy groups are rallying against the bill, warning that it would cut Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and food assistance programs, potentially causing 17 million Americans to lose healthcare coverage and resulting in an estimated 51,000 additional deaths annually. Protesters outside Congressman David Valadao’s office in Bakersfield emphasized the bill’s disproportionate harms to rural communities, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families, while criticizing Valadao’s lack of public engagement despite his stated opposition to Medicaid cuts. Opponents also highlight that the bill provides substantial tax breaks to billionaires and private schools without public accountability, increasing inequality and endangering public education and health systems. Experts and organizations such as the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund urge House members to reject the bill due to its severe impact on vulnerable populations, including millions of children reliant on Medicaid for healthcare and school services. Advocates stress the urgent need for constituents to pressure their representatives to vote against the bill to prevent its harmful effects on health, education, and social safety nets.