ICYMI: Boyle Warns of Devastating Impacts in Philadelphia if Republicans Cut Medicaid

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Yesterday, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) held a press conference to sound the alarm about the catastrophic consequences that the Medicaid cuts proposed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress would have in Philadelphia. He was joined by Susan Post, Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Health Center, and Suzanne O'Grady Laurito, Director of Catholic Housing and Community Services at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

At the press conference, Congressman Boyle, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, warned that the Republican budget would make the largest Medicaid cuts in US history, even as it proposes massive handouts for billionaires. The event also spotlighted the story of a 64-year-old Navy veteran from Northeast Philadelphia who receives in-home care through Medicaid, allowing him to live with dignity.

"In Philadelphia, well over half a million people get their health care from Medicaid. This is the greatest threat to Medicaid in the history of its existence. And why? To pay for tax cuts for the top 1% - it is absolutely unconscionable," said Congressman Boyle. "The bill that already passed out of the House of Representatives included over $800 billion worth of cuts to Medicaid - the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history. Now the good news is that that was just the beginning of the process, not the end of it. As soon  as we're done here, I will be hopping on a train to go to Washington, DC, where as the Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, I have been asked to lead the opposition to these Medicaid cuts."

"In the geographical area that Esparanza takes care of, which is about a three-mile radius from here, we have a population that's almost 400,000 people. And of those 400,000, almost 200,000 of them rely on Medicaid insurance for all of their health care needs," said Susan Post, Chief Executive Officer of Esperanza Health Center. "I also live in North Philly. I've lived here 25 years. These are not just a statistic, these are actual people, people that I love … thank you so much, Congressman Boyle, for your concern about this important, devastating situation for us here in North Philadelphia."

"Medicaid is not just a health care program, although that is critical, but it is a lifeline for many we serve. It's the thread that holds stability, independence, and dignity together," said Suzanne O'Grady Laurito, Director of Catholic Housing and Community Services at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. "We stand with Congressman Boyle today to protect and preserve Medicaid. It's not just a program. It's a promise."

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