Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa, 612-386-9556
September 14, 2017
NEWS RELEASE
Caregivers, people living with disabilities, and seniors held a March for Medicaid and Caregiving Thursday afternoon, kicking off a two-day convening with national partners in Minnesota.
(Burnsville)—This afternoon, over 100 seniors, people living with disabilities, family caregivers, and care workers from TakeAction Minnesota held a march and rally outside Rep. Jason Lewis’ office. The March for Medicaid and Caregiving came as part of a national convening held in Minnesota with partners from Caring Across Generations.
At the march, constituents called on Representative Jason Lewis to protect Medicaid and shared their personal stories.
“To say the work of caregivers is hard would be an understatement,” said Perri Rittman, a Burnsville resident and caregiver for her mother. “As an unpaid caregiver, I deal with these extreme hardships every day, and I know I’m not alone.”
The threat to Medicaid continues as Congress scrambles to put together a federal budget. President Trump is clamoring to pass massive tax breaks and tax reform. To pay for major tax breaks, other areas of the budget will have to be cut.
Constituents fear that Medicaid has a target on its back.
“Representative Lewis already voted for Medicaid cuts, against the will of his district,” Rittman said. “Care is an issue that’s not going away. We can’t separate it from Medicaid.”
Details about the federal budget are still lacking. However, in recent news article about raising debt ceiling, Congressman Lewis indicated he supports budget cuts going forward.
“This is by no means a blank check,” Lewis said. “Any longer-term spending and debt-related legislation going forward must include real budgetary reform, tax reform, or serious spending reductions in order to earn my vote. Responsible governing means both meeting today’s obligations, and getting our fiscal house in order to meet tomorrow’s.”
As the public debates continue, members of the Caring Majority hope to shed light on Medicaid’s connection to the larger caring economy in Minnesota. In the United States, 10,000 people turn 65 every day.
“Everyone deserves to age well and live in dignity,” said Cacje Henderson, Economy Program Manager with TakeAction Minnesota. “All of us will be a caregiver or need care someday. We are on the brink of a care crisis. Squeezing Medicaid won’t make it go away.”
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide, multiracial people’s organization working to advance democracy and equity through organizing, political action, and campaigns. The organization has offices in St. Paul and Duluth.
