“People will die as a result of this.” – Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Slammed by Governor Whitmer in Wake of House Vote

Governor warns cuts will harm Michigan’s most vulnerable while handing tax breaks to the wealthy.

Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Spark Outrage from Michigan Leadership

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer sharply criticized Republican members of Congress following a vote in the U.S. House to slash funding for Medicaid and SNAP, characterizing the legislation as a direct assault on Michigan’s working-class families, seniors, and disabled residents. The impact of Medicaid and SNAP cuts reverberates through Michigan, affecting countless families reliant on these crucial programs.

In a statement issued May 22, Whitmer said the reconciliation bill would “terminate health care for millions of Americans, rip away food assistance from working families, and jack up costs on the middle class while giving a huge tax cut to the wealthy. In an interview with CNN, Whitmer was clear: “People will die as a result of this.”

Governor Warns of Dire Consequences for Vulnerable Michigan Residents

According to Whitmer, three in five Michigan nursing home residents could lose coverage under the proposed Medicaid changes. She also said the bill threatens pregnant women, disabled individuals, and low-income families dependent on federal assistance for medical care and nutrition.

“These cuts will hurt the most vulnerable Michiganders,” Whitmer said. “We cannot accept this level of cruelty towards people who need help.”

With the looming Medicaid and SNAP cuts, many families may face dire consequences without sufficient federal assistance.

Whitmer Calls Out Michigan Republicans by Name

Governor Whitmer directly named Reps. John James, Tom Barrett, and Bill Huizenga, urging them to “reckon with the devastating impact this bill will have on their fellow Michiganders.”

She emphasized that the state alone cannot backfill the federal funding loss and called on Michigan’s congressional delegation to prioritize people over politics.

Impact on Retirees, Retailers, and Local Economies

As Michigan faces potential Medicaid and SNAP cuts, the ripple effect on local economies can lead to increased poverty and hunger. In addition to health care cuts, Whitmer pointed out that the loss of SNAP funding would reduce spending at Michigan grocery stores and local markets, worsening food insecurity and harming small businesses.

“This bill will increase hunger and harm local retailers, forcing more Michiganders to go to bed with a pit in their stomach,” she said.

In an insightful interview by Michigan Advance, Dr. Christine Crader, a palliative medicine physician from St. Clair Shores, which is in James’ district, noted, “Many poor, older and disabled people are enrolled in Medicare but use Medicaid to cover copayments they cannot afford. So if their Medicaid is taken away, as it could be under the legislation Congressman James voted for, these seniors and disabled people might not be able to pay their co-payments or other costs,”

Call for Bipartisan Federal Investment in Core Services

Whitmer reiterated Michigan’s model of collaborative governance as a counterpoint to the federal action. “We’ve proven that here in Michigan, if you work together, you can get a lot done,” she said, advocating instead for bipartisan investment in infrastructure, education, and family support services.

Public Commentary and Media Appearance

Governor Whitmer expanded on her concerns during a CNN interview, urging Republican members of Michigan’s congressional delegation to reject future efforts to dismantle critical safety net programs.

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