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Eau Claire City Council urges Congress to reject cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP and Social Security
Summary
The Eau Claire City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging Wisconsin’s congressional delegation and Congress to oppose deep cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Social Security, citing likely local impacts on health care access and household need.
The Eau Claire City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging Congress to reject significant cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Social Security, council leaders said during the March meeting.
Council members bringing the resolution said deep federal cuts to those programs would create immediate needs for local services and could strain hospitals, senior care and other community supports. Council Member Worthman and Council Member Jones moved the resolution. The motion passed unanimously at roll call.
Council Member Worthman, who helped introduce the resolution, told the council that constituent stories submitted to the city showed how families rely on the programs for housing, nutrition and medical care. “If Congress goes through with cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, or Social Security benefits … we can guarantee that there will be an impact to our local residents,” Worthman said. Other council members said the programs also prevent more costly emergency care by enabling preventive services.
Council Member Brewster added that hospitals and clinics rely on Medicaid and Medicare for preventative care that keeps institutions from being overwhelmed; he warned that cuts could accelerate closures of financially strained providers. Council Member Miller noted the programs’ history and cited statistics discussed at the meeting showing declines in poverty after the original Great Society reforms. Several council members said they would ask other city councils across Wisconsin to consider similar resolutions so the message carries statewide.
The council noted a range of local consequences if benefits were reduced, including increased demand for local housing and nutrition services and added pressure on emergency health providers. Council Vice President Anderson, attending remotely from Washington, D.C., said she would raise the council’s concern directly with congressional staff while at the National League of Cities conference.
The resolution was moved by Council Members Worthman and Jones and passed by unanimous vote.
