The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) condemns the Senate vote advancing H.R. 1, which includes unconscionable cuts to food assistance and Medicaid for the most at risk in our communities including people with disabilities, children, older adults and low income individuals and families. The Senate has endorsed even deeper health care cuts. Projections from the Congressional Budget Office for the Senate bill show 17 million people losing health insurance within 10 years, and the federal debt increasing by well over three trillion dollars. An estimated 51,000 people will die each year due to the loss of healthcare coverage caused by the bill.
“The Senate’s passage of this bill will cut Medicaid funding, limit long‑term care protections, restrict mental and physical health services, and slash nutrition assistance programs. These are critical supports that people with disabilities depend on,” says Michelle Uzeta, Interim Executive Director at DREDF. “Without these services and programs, people will die.”
DREDF calls on all members of the House of Representatives to vote NO on the reconciliation bill that would deeply harm their constituents. DREDF remains committed to advocating for access to care for all people.