Speaker Johnson Wants to Steamroll Health Care Cuts Through House of Representatives Next Week; Reps. David Valadao, Young Kim, Ken Calvert, Doug LaMalfa Must Vote “NO” 

CALIFORNIA – Early this morning, the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate jammed through a budget plan calling for $880 billion in health care cuts on a largely party line vote. The Fight for Our Health coalition of health care workers, consumer and children’s advocates, seniors and people with disabilities responded, saying House Republicans in California must now commit to voting “NO” on any plan that would terminate care for Californians, close hospitals and clinics, and hike health care prices on working Californians. 

“Republicans are rushing this reckless plan, hoping to hide the fact that it terminates health care for moms with breast cancer, children with asthma, and veterans who rely on home care,” said Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN). “Republican House members have been dancing around their previous votes, refusing to commit to stop cuts that will affect every one of their constituents with hospital closures, longer waits for health care, and higher costs. Meanwhile, nothing in this plan addresses the real waste and fraud in health care driven by greedy CEOs and corporate profits. 

“We won’t let our Congressmembers hide any longer – we demand they commit now to vote no on ANY health care cuts. Don’t take away our care!” 

House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to jam the plan through the House as soon as next week; the rush is intended to let House members vote on $880 billion in health care cuts before their constituents know what the cuts mean for local hospitals and health care costs. For the same reason, House members are avoiding facing concerned constituents in town halls; Republican leadership has even advised congressmembers not to hold in person meetings. 

Constituents will be holding press conferences and demonstrations in House Republican districts over the next several weeks, refusing to let House members hide from their votes. Contact maya@paschalroth.com for more information on upcoming events. 

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