WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released a statement on Republicans budget plan to slash Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and food assistance from our seniors, veterans, children, and hard-working families. This week, Republicans released a plan that dictates the specific cuts they would be making to these programs and voted for them in their Congressional committees.

“Trump and Republicans in Congress spent months lying to the American people, saying they would preserve health care, and they wouldn't touch Medicaid,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This week, Republicans voted to make the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history. Millions of seniors, veterans, children, and hardworking families will lose their healthcare coverage, and millions more will be left hungry. Let’s be clear; when Medicaid is cut, people don’t ‘tighten their belts.’ They lose access to life-saving medications, they skip doctor visits because they can’t afford them, they forgo vital surgeries and, in some cases, they die. Cutting Medicaid won’t create prosperity it will create poverty.  We must fight back, because Medicaid matters, food for our seniors and children matters. I will never stop fighting for our seniors, veterans, children, and hard-working families in South Jersey.”

The Republican budget plan will end healthcare coverage for almost 14 million Americans: 

• The bill’s Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts terminate health insurance for 8.6 million Americans
• Republicans’ plans to take away enhanced tax credits cause another 5.1 million Americans to lose coverage.

The Republican budget plan directs:

• At least $700 billion in Medicaid cuts, terminating health insurance and slashing benefits, like home care and mental health services, for low-income seniors, kids, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families.
• A $350 billion cut to the Affordable Care Act because Republicans refuse to extend tax credits that ensure Americans can afford their health coverage 

Largest cut to SNAP, which provides critical food assistance for low-income families, in American history:

• 27,000 grocery stores could be at risk of closure due to a massive loss in revenue, creating and exacerbating food deserts in largely rural areas.

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