Representative Schakowsky Condemns Committee Passage of Republican Reconciliation Bill Stripping Health Coverage from Over 13 Million Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement condemning the passage of the Republican Reconciliation Package through the Energy and Commerce Committee. The bill will come before the full House for a vote as soon as next week.

"House Republicans jamming this bill to gut Medicaid through this committee today is one of the most shameful moments in my over two decades of Congressional service. Republicans are clearing the deck to give massive tax breaks to billionaires by slashing Medicaid funding and forcing millions of Americans off their health care. Rather than fight for their constituents, Republicans have chosen to rip life-saving care away from more than 13 million working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline, and then turn around and lie to the American people about its true impacts.

"This bill takes direct aim at women's health by intentionally defunding Planned Parenthood, cutting off millions from access to cancer screenings, birth control, and reproductive health services. Let's be clear: this is an ideological attack on women and their right to control their own health care decisions. It also attacks transgender youth by prohibiting them from utilizing federal Medicaid funding for medically necessary healthcare interventions.

"I have visited with hundreds of constituents in Illinois's 9th District over the past few months and have seen firsthand the vital role Medicaid plays in our communities. Nearly 150,000 people in my district alone rely on Medicaid. It supports low-income families, funds rural hospitals, and provides essential care for children with complex medical needs. Slashing Medicaid is not just heartless-it's dangerous. It puts lives at risk and undermines our entire health care system."

"Instead of working to strengthen access to care, Republicans are pushing a reckless, partisan agenda that punishes the most vulnerable. This bill will cause rural hospitals to close, cause health care workers to lose jobs, and cause families to fall through the cracks-all in the name of tax cuts for the wealthy."

"This fight is not over: I will never stop fighting to protect the health and dignity of every American. I and my Democratic colleagues will continue to hold the line for the millions of Americans set to lose their health coverage under this cruel and dangerous bill."

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