Congresswoman Schrier Slams Republicans for Attempts to Cut Medicaid in the Middle of the Night, Highlights Damage Proposal will cause to the Eighth District’s Healthcare System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the 26-hour-long House Committee on Energy and Commerce reconciliation markup, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) blasted congressional Republicans for their attempts to cut Medicaid and kick nearly 14 million Americans off of their health insurance. Congresswoman Schrier highlighted the impact that slashing Medicaid would have on the Eighth District by sharing the story of Ayla, a four-year-old who is alive today thanks to her rural hospital, Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH), which depends on Medicaid to keep its doors open. 

“Today, Ayla is four years old. She is a happy, healthy child. This story is a testament to what rural healthcare can do — when it is resourced, when it is staffed, and when it is supported. But it’s also a stark reminder of how close Jason and Vanessa came to a very different ending,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Cutting Medicaid will close rural hospitals. Without KVH, Ayla would not have gotten the critical care she needed.  She wouldn’t have gotten to Children’s in time. The outcome would have been tragic. That’s just one reason Medicaid is essential. Republicans say they’re going after waste, fraud, and abuse when they’re actually going to disenfranchise 13.7 million Americans from health insurance. And all of this, taking health insurance away from people, is meant to fund a gigantic tax cut for billionaires.”

To watch Congresswoman Schrier’s remarks, click HERE. 

During delivery, Ayla had transfused nearly 40% of her blood volume back to her mother, leaving her without enough blood to survive. KVH quickly organized a transfer to Seattle Children’s Hospital, but the helicopter was forced to turn back due to weather conditions. KVH was able to make new arrangements, coordinate an EMS transport, and save Ayla’s life.

In Washington State, approximately 1.8 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, also known as Apple Health. The Republican budget calls for billions of dollars in cuts to essential programs like Medicaid, which would be devastating for thousands of patients in the Eighth District and millions across the country. Congresswoman Schrier, the first pediatrician elected to Congress and member of the Democratic Doctors Caucus, has been a leader in fighting against these cuts and defending patients’ access to care.