Most Americans support causes such as saving money, reducing waste and keeping costs down. Most feel that we should all pay our fair share.
Congress is posturing to make more cuts to things that really matter for the purpose of reducing waste and giving the exceedingly wealthy more tax breaks!
In a few days, the 2025 Congress is expected to pass legislation that will cut services to SNAP and Medicaid. Many of us do not need this assistance, but we want it available to others who are enduring misfortune.
The SNAP program is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the last line of defense against hunger. In Utah, 69% of SNAP assistance goes to families with children and 26% are in families with an older adult or a disability. 46% are working families. SNAP benefits support the local economy where the recipient lives. SNAP covers only healthy foods. Groceries have become expensive. Cutting this benefit for the sole purpose of lowering taxes is heartless and self-serving.
Medicaid is also on the chopping block. Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country. It covers 40% of the births in the U.S. Most recipients are working low-paying jobs that don’t include benefits.
Potentially on the chopping block is Medicaid nursing home coverage for seniors and the disabled. In Utah, Medicaid covers 61% of the residents who call the nursing home their home. Cutting this already thin financial coverage will put seniors out of their housing and force some nursing homes and rural hospitals to close.
All of these cuts seem pretty greedy to me. Is this human rights abuse? Is this how we care for our neighbors? Is this how Utahns pull people up?
If this is a matter you care about, call your representative today. The people of Utah are better than this. Call and urge your representatives to speak up for us rather than the super wealthy. Ask them how we as a community will care for these people in our midst. This will be decided very soon. Do your patriotic part by voicing your displeasure.
Patricia Sadoski, Logan
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