Miller-Meeks and Nunn Vote for Largest Ever Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to Fund Massive Billionaire Tax Breaks

Legislating while Americans were sleeping, Representatives Zach Nunn & Miller-Meeks voted yes early this morning to pass a bill that puts access to healthcare and food for hundreds of thousands of Iowans, including children, seniors, and veterans, on the chopping block. 

Nunn & Miller-Meeks were the deciding votes to cut nearly $700 billion from Medicaid and nearly $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—ripping healthcare and groceries from working families in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations. 

Eric Kusiak, a nurse manager in Miller-Meeks’ district, explains that cuts to Medicaid would make healthcare worse for all Iowans.  

“Reps. Miller-Meeks and Nunn had multiple chances to protect Iowans, and they continue to turn their backs on us,” Kusiak said. “These Medicaid and SNAP cuts will make it harder for families to put food on the table, for Iowans to stay healthy, and for rural hospitals to stay open. I see it every day, Iowans are already stretched thin, and these cuts will make it worse for so many.” 

Evan Schultz lives in Des Moines and works as a peer support specialist at Central Iowa Center for Independent Living. He relies on SNAP and Medicaid due to Quadriplegia to live on his own and do his job.

“My Congressman chose tax breaks for billionaires over me,” Schultz said. “I can’t tell you how sad, scary and disappointing this is. Medicaid and SNAP don’t make anyone rich. They help us get by. They help me live on my own and make sure I have enough to eat. If I get kicked off Medicaid my life will be upside down, but at least I have my family to turn to. For many, their lives will be over.”