McDonald Rivet Statement on Voting Against Extreme Package That Slashes Health Care, Kicks Kids Off Food Assistance, and Raises Costs for Working Families
WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) released the following statement after voting against the extreme reconciliation package that kicks millions off health insurance, takes food from hungry children, and raises costs on working families.
“I voted no on Republicans’ extreme package because life is already too expensive for Michigan families, and this bill is going to make it worse,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Working families will lose their health care, children will go hungry, and our seniors will lose access to long-term care, all to pay for massive tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Everybody will see daily costs go up like health care, utility bills, and food to help Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos make more money.”
How this legislation will impact families and seniors across mid-Michigan:
- Health Care: A quarter of a million people in mid-Michigan rely on Medicaid. Over $900 billion in cuts will kick Michiganders off their health care and force hospitals and nursing homes to shut down. The mid-Michigan residents who get their health care through the Affordable Care Act would see their premiums increase by $730 per year.
- Food Assistance: SNAP helps put food on the table for 148,000 people in mid-Michigan. $200 billion in cuts to the program could take food off the table of over 50,000 mid-Michigan households, over 23,000 of which are households with children.
- Energy Prices: For the average Michigan household, energy prices will rise by approximately $473 per year – an 8% increase.
- Tax Cuts Disproportionately Benefit the Ultra Wealthy: More than 70 percent of the bill's net tax cuts would go to the richest fifth of Americans in 2026, only 10 percent would go to the middle fifth of Americans, and less than 1 percent would go to the least wealthy fifth.