Southern Wisconsin Times

Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) is calling on his constituents to express their concerns about potential federal budget cuts to Medicaid.

According to Spreitzer, he shared a video featuring Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) urging the public to take action against proposed reductions in Medicaid funding. "I encourage you to contact your federal officials and urge them to protect Medicaid," Spreitzer wrote, providing a link for individuals to find their congressional representatives. In the video, Pocan said that Republicans should justify any decisions to cut Medicaid funds and, if they deny supporting "billionaire tax cuts," citizens should ask them what other cuts they propose.

Pocan explained that the reconciliation bill targets $889 billion in cuts within the energy and commerce committee's jurisdiction. "Well, the biggest item there is Medicaid. It’s clearly going to cut Medicaid," he said. He added that it also includes a $330 billion reduction from the Department of Education, which would likely affect Pell Grants or Title 1 money, as well as IDEA funds, shifting costs onto property taxpayers.

Pocan further mentioned that middle-class families would bear the burden of tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals in the country. He noted a $230 billion cut in agriculture funding could impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides over $6 daily for food assistance to impoverished children. "So, if they’re telling you they cut any of those programs but vote for this thing that lines up with the cuts, ask them what their list of cuts is," Pocan said. "And if they don’t have it, then they’re full of BS."

Pocan also issued a press release on X stating his willingness to debate anyone who supported the bill "in front of their constituents in an open forum to ensure a full and fair conversation."