I want to be clear: The recently-passed federal budget bill is a betrayal.
It effectively guts the safety net for many Washingtonians. People will go hungry, lose access to healthcare, and our lowest-income residents will suffer — all to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.
It’s hard to overstate the devastation this bill will bring. It pushes our healthcare system to the brink and harms communities across our state. Washington will be among the hardest-hit states due to Medicaid cuts, rolling back the progress we made under the Affordable Care Act.
At least 250,000 Washingtonians will lose health coverage, and hospitals could close. Rural communities will be devastated. SNAP benefits will be cut for thousands who need them.
The “big, bad, betrayal bill” is one of the worst policies I’ve seen in my career.
The bill also targets Planned Parenthood, cutting its Medicaid funding. Medicaid is the primary payer for Planned Parenthood, and many patients depend on this support. Planned Parenthood is challenging those cuts in court.
Here’s my commitment: If the lawsuit is unsuccessful, I will ensure the state backfills those dollars. Planned Parenthood must be fully funded during this critical time.
If you’re with me in that effort, please chip in here.
Thank you,
Bob
