Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Karen Pratte

To the Editor:

Trump’s and the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill is actually a Big Ugly Billionaire Tax Cut Bill. To give billionaires their $1.1 trillion tax give-away, healthcare for the working poor, disabled, elderly, and new mothers is being cut along with food assistance for children (Medicaid and SNAP). To justify this unpopular Reverse Robinhood bill (take from the poor and give to the rich),  Rep. Hinson and Senator Ernst push big lies.

One of the most egregious lies is that “illegals” are getting Medicaid. The truth is that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for traditional Medicaid in Iowa. Federal law prohibits undocumented immigrants from enrolling in federally funded health coverage programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) [Annenberg Public Policy Center, New York Times]. However, this poll-tested lie is repeated frequently by Hinson and Ernst.

Another lie is that those who deserve Medicaid will not lose it. The Big Beautiful Bill makes deep cuts to Medicaid. Nearly eight million people could lose coverage as a result of the Medicaid cuts [Congressional Budget Office].

If you care about the people receiving healthcare through Medicaid like Mom or Grandma in the nursing home, a single working mother trying to provide for her children but unable to make ends meet, a child or adult with disabilities, then call Senators Grassley and Ernst telling them to vote “no” on this unfair, immoral Tax Cuts for Billionaires Bill.

Karen Pratte
Waterville