U.S. Representative Nikema Williams and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark addressed the devastating impacts of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”. During the press conference, the highlighted that the bill would leave nearly 16 million people without health insurance, including over 125,000 in Williams’ district, Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.
They emphasized the critical role of Medicaid, which covers 45% of Georgia’s births and 51% of its children. Each emphasized potential tax cuts for the wealthy would contrast sharply with the severe healthcare and economic hardships it would impose on working families and rural communities.
“While mamas across the country are making tough decisions in the grocery line, patients are worrying whether they can afford the care that they need,” Williams said. “Workers are heading to their jobs wondering if their labor will bring them closer to the promise of America. The top 0.1% will be receiving an average annual tax cut of $255,670 right here in this district. So where do you think this bill will be felt more? In the wallet of a billionaire or in the wallet of a parent delaying their own health care appointment just to get by with a nurse facing job loss due to Medicaid cuts?”
Saving Hospitals
The visit was part of a week in which Democrats pledged to save hospitals. Even though the conversations surround the patients and consumers of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, healthcare facilities receive payments from the government for patient care. For example, Medicaid covers skilled nursing costs for room, board, and all necessary medical and non-medical goods and services. Also, Medicaid pays for 45% of Georgia’s births and covers 51% of Georgia’s children.
“We know if the Republicans’ big ugly bill passes into law, it is going to be devastating,” Clark added. “As the congresswoman laid out, 16 million Americans will lose coverage under this bill. 42 million people will go hungry. Medicare will be gutted by half a trillion dollars.”
Republicans are planning to cut Social Security benefits by raising the retirement age for Americans 59 and younger. During a recent town hall, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene promised permanent tax cuts while protecting Social Security and Medicare. She also pledged to reduce the tax burden on working families.
“Guess what? No one is taking away anyone’s Medicare,” Greene said April 15th. “That’s a lie that is being held by the Democrats, and unfortunately, the media is helping them tell it. No one is losing Medicare. No one is losing Social Security and no one’s benefits are being taken away. And I can tell you for a fact, no one has lost their Social Security.”
The Ramifications of Healthcare Cuts
Dr. Maddie Wolf, a pediatrician, underscored the dire consequences of Medicaid cuts on neonatal care. While providing critical care to premature babies, she discussed the potential increased financial burden on their families.
“One of the major drivers of infant mortality is premature birth,” Wolf explained. “That is directly influenced by maternal access to health care. And so women who are sick without appropriate access to health care, drive infant mortality in one of the most, the largest ways.”
There are at least 60 counties in Georgia that do not have a hospital or have strained resources. Helen Butler, the Executive Director with the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, calls for the reimagining of Medicaid to ensure coverage for everyone. Also, she criticizes the bill’s proposed cuts.
“So to me, I say, if you truly believe, as a Christian, that we should take care of the least of these,” Butler said. “We have to do away with this bill. We have to reimagine what it means and to give coverage to everyone without your health, there is not much you can do. There is no making things great. There is no way to survive if you’re unhealthy. So Medicaid is critical to all of the Georgians.”