June 6th Day of Action and Media
On June 6th thousands of people across the U.S. took a stand to protect Medicaid, stop Medicaid cuts and caps, and save the services that allow people with disabilities to live and participate in their community. We joined together and said “No!” to over $800 billion in cuts that will leave 10 million people with disabilities at risk of losing the services they depend on.
People rallied in D.C. and across the nation; called, wrote letters to, tweeted, and visited their representatives; took selfies to show the “Faces of Medicaid“; shared their stories and asked others to join; wrote op-eds; and more.
Please enjoy and add to our photo wall “Faces of Medicaid“
We’ve put together photos of the days action. You can submit your own through our story portal or email them to estphens@cpr-ma.org.
Twitter Storm
In 24 hours: there were over 19,500 tweets to #SaveMedicaid with over 76.9 Million timeline deliveries! And we were trending on twitter – not just in DC – for a good while yesterday.
There were 8,911 different contributors, so quite a lot of people participated at some level.
Media Coverage
National
Take Action Now! – Alison Barkoff’s Blog on MomsRising
Listen to Alison Barkoff talk about the Fight to Save Medicaid on MomsRising
Disability Advocates Protest Medicaid Cuts
GOP Medicaid Cuts Hit Rural America Hardest, Report Finds
Disability Advocates Fear Impact Of Medicaid Cuts In GOP Health Plan
Open Letter to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers from a Fellow Special Needs Mom
Senate Democrats on Trumpcare: ‘No Cuts, No Caps’ for Medicaid
Politico Pulse on June 6th and the 7th
Montana
Senator Daines Urged To Protect Medicaid
Advocates: Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid detrimental to people with disabilities
Guest column: Medicaid rally on Monday
Group says bill could hurt disabled
‘Die-in’ held at Daines’ office protests planned GOP Medicaid cuts
Missoula locals protest in front of Senator Steve Daines’ office
Florida
WFTV, ABC Affiliate in Florida: News Piece Featuring the Jennings
Oklahoma
Texas
Local concerns persist over looming GOP health care bill
Georgia
Disability advocates fear impact of Medicaid cuts
Washington
Parents rally against Medicaid Cuts
Colorado
Alliance: Colorado Communities for People with Developmental Disabilities Press Release
Chicago, Illinois
Disability rights advocates rally in Loop against proposed Medicaid cuts
Channel 5 @4pm: http://my.tvey.es/Fy78A
Channel 5 @6pm: http://my.tvey.es/i2NFa
Channel 7: http://my.tvey.es/Ze6m9
Utah
Quotes
According to Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), “Medicaid cuts will harm children, families, people with disabilities, veterans, and aging Americans. It is wrong to cut the essential services so that the rich can receive a massive tax cut. I will work to keep Medicaid whole and keep services flowing.”
Cindy Jennings of Lititz, PA said, “My son Matthew is why I’m here, fighting against cuts to Medicaid. Matthew and I have a lot in common—we both work and are active in our community. Our life, which is probably a lot like yours, is possible because of Medicaid. Matthew’s disabilities require supports that give him dignity and independence and, without his Medicaid-funded services, I couldn’t work and provide for our family. Medicaid makes all the difference for our family and thousands of families across the country and I won’t let Congress take it and all the progress Matthew has made away.”
According to Kim Musheno, Chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, the largest national coalition of disability organization in the country, “Today’s rallies and actions across the country send a clear message to Congress that the entire disability community and our allies are united in opposition to Medicaid cuts and caps. The lives of millions of people with disabilities and their families literally depend on Medicaid. Billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid would decimate our country’s community support system and put people’s lives at risk.”