News

Cuts to Medicaid Will Impact ALL Americans—CWAers Are Fighting Back

In addition to providing healthcare access for millions of Americans, including several million children, Medicaid is a backbone of funding for hospitals throughout the country. The $800 Billion in cuts proposed in Congress’s tax and spending bill would be a financial disaster for our State budgets, and have a direct impact on both CWA member jobs and the healthcare that we all receive.

Cuts to Medicaid will result in hospital funding and budget cuts, leading to:

  • Increased patient loads for already overstretched CWA nurses and healthcare workers
  • Increased insurance premiums for everyone
  • States being forced to gut vital services like mental health and addiction services, crisis response teams, public education, transportation, and safety
  • Jeopardized rural healthcare access, leaving entire communities without access to care and the loss of these crucial jobs
  • Limited options for safe, quality care for seniors

Throughout the country, CWA members have been rallying, calling their members of Congress, writing letters, and more to put a stop to Medicaid cuts before it’s too late.

Local 1103 - New York

Members of CWA Local 1103 have been turning out for near-weekly events throughout Westchester County, NY to hold Congressman Mike Lawlor accountable to his constituents and say NO CUTS TO MEDICAID! During last year’s election, Rep. Lawlor made promises that he would stand with the people and not to vote for any legislation that would cut Medicaid–yet he recently voted in favor of the $800 Billion in cuts.

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On May 31, CWA Local 1103 spearheaded a rally in Ossining, NY alongside several other labor and community groups to spread the word about these cuts and about who Rep. Lawlor really stands with (spoiler alert: not us). 

"I wear two hats," said Local 1103 Secretary/Treasurer​ Joe Mayhew, speaking at the rally. "I wear the union hat, and I wear another one, of a United States Air Force Veteran. And I'm here to tell you that you most certainly cannot cut fraud, waste, and abuse after you fire tens of thousands of government employees in violation of their union contract–many who are veterans whose jobs ARE to weed out fraud, waste, and abuse!"​

Watch video of Joe's speech here.​

Local 1040 - New Jersey

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CWA Local 1040 Legislative and Political Action Coordinator Tameeka Chang joined a chorus of CWA members demanding “Hands Off Medicaid!” and visiting Congressional offices to demand action from our representatives.

Watch Tameeka's video here​.

Local 1091 - New Jersey

On June 3 CWA Local 1091 Mobilizer Dan Bazarian testified at the Ocean County Commissioners meeting as the Commissioners discussed a Resolution to oppose Medicaid cuts. This comes after several weeks in which residents of Ocean County have been petitioning County Commissioners to intercede on constituents’ behalf with Congressmen Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew—both of whom voted “Yes” to cutting Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP. 

CWA Local 1091, which represents nurses at several New Jersey hospitals, joined the fight to speak out about the direct impact of these cuts to hospitals, nursing homes, in-home healthcare providers.

"The impact of looming cuts to Medicaid on our state can't be overstated. Hospitals rely on Medicaid funding to keep their doors open. By providing coverage, Medicaid decreases the number of uninsured patients which takes pressure off hospitals and keeps hidden costs from getting passed on to the rest of us through higher insurance premiums. We urge you to consider the impact that these cuts will have."

​Watch video of Dan's testimony here​.