Congressman Carter Convenes Town Hall Meeting to Fight Back Against Republican’s Attacks on Americans Health Care
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Tonight, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) convened a Health Care Town Hall discussion at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Congressman Carter and Leader Jeffries were joined by Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chairs Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Nanette Barragán (D-CA). Speakers also included Louisianians directly impacted by Republican’s budget cuts to Medicaid and other vital health care services.
“Across Louisiana—from our biggest hospitals to our smallest rural clinics—healthcare leaders are sounding the alarm,” said Rep. Carter. “Not because of politics. But because of people. Because they know what these Medicaid cuts will mean for the folks they serve every single day—our children, our seniors, people with disabilities, and working families just trying to stay afloat. Hospitals from Baton Rouge to Bunkie, from New Orleans to Natchitoches, are united in one voice: this is the largest and most devastating cut to Louisiana’s health care system in our history. I was proud to bring my Democratic colleagues to Louisiana and speak with my constituents who will be directly harmed by this Big UGLY Bill. We won’t stop fighting for you.”
“Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Law will rob 17 million Americans of their healthcare and steal nutritional assistance from seniors, children and veterans in order to provide tax cuts for billionaires,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “Tonight’s town hall was my first stop as House Democrats set the record straight about the pain Republicans are inflicting on everyday Americans. We are going to do everything we can, no matter how long it takes, to reverse the damage being done to the American people.”
"Last week, Republicans danced and applauded as they stole healthcare from 17 million Americans, including their own constituents, to give a $5 trillion tax break to their wealthy friends and donors," said Rep. Kelly. "My colleagues and I came to Louisiana to host a town hall because people are scared, frustrated, and angry about their healthcare. We answered their questions and let them know that there are Members of Congress representing them in DC -- not special interests."
"Republicans stole healthcare from 17 million Americans, with two million from my home state of Florida alone — all just to shovel trillions in tax breaks to the wealthiest among us," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "But what I heard at this Louisiana town hall is how families need more access to quality, affordable healthcare, not less. So that will remain our focus, to expand maternal, reproductive and home care, not close hospitals and swipe coverage from millions like Republicans just voted to do.”
“Trump’s Big Ugly Law will have devastating impacts on the health and care of hardworking Americans — and the stories we heard at tonight’s town hall in New Orleans made clear how devastating this law will be for communities across this country. We heard from local health care professionals on how the largest cuts to Medicaid and health care in our country’s history will close hospitals, shut down nursing homes, and prevent local health clinics from serving their communities,” said Rep. Barragán (CA-44).
“House Democrats used every tool at our disposal to fight this bill — but Republicans in Congress chose to prioritize tax breaks for their billionaire buddies over the health of our American families and passed this bill. But we are not done. House Democrats will continue to fight back by traveling across the country, meeting Americans where they are, and hearing directly from them how they are being harmed by Trump’s policies — because we believe health care is a right, not just a privilege for the wealthy few.”
Watch the event livestream here.
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