Union nurses in North Carolina are raising their voices against possible cuts to Medicaid. On Thursday, a group of nurses gathered in front of the Western North Carolina office of Republican Senator Thom Tillis to protest any reduction in Medicaid funding, which helps millions of low-income Americans get healthcare.
Standing on the steps of the historic courthouse in Hendersonville, around a dozen nurses from Mission Hospital and their supporters sent a strong message to Senator Tillis. They held signs and chanted slogans like “Fund care, not billionaires!” to express their concern.
A Giant Check With a Message
One eye-catching part of their protest was a giant $19.4 billion check. The check was labeled “Paid for by working people” and made out to “The billionaire class.” Nurse Molly Zenker, one of the protest organizers, explained why they brought the check. She said it represents the large amount of Medicaid funding North Carolina might lose if Congress continues with former President Trump’s tax cuts.
Zenker pointed out that extending these tax cuts could mean less revenue for the government. This, in turn, could push lawmakers to reduce funding for programs like Medicaid, which provide essential healthcare services to many Americans.
“A Knife in the Back”
Speaking passionately, Nurse Zenker described how damaging these potential cuts could be. “This is a knife in the back for people across the country, from the biggest city to the quietest backroad,” she said.
She warned that if Medicaid funding is reduced, elderly people, disabled individuals, and low-income families would suffer the most. Without Medicaid, many would lose access to preventive care and basic health services. She emphasized that millions could be left with no option but to rely solely on emergency care, which could worsen public health.
Senator’s Office Was Empty
The group attempted to deliver their symbolic check directly to Senator Tillis’s office. However, no one from his office was present at the time. Instead, they handed the check over to a county employee, who promised to leave it at the senator’s door.
A spokesperson for Senator Tillis responded later, stating that the budget passed by the Senate recently does not explicitly mention any cuts to Medicaid. However, many experts, including the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), have analyzed the budget. The CBO has pointed out that in order to meet the financial targets set by Republicans, Medicaid cuts seem unavoidable.
Medicaid’s Vital Role
Medicaid is a crucial health program in the United States. It provides healthcare services to people with low income, including children, pregnant women, elderly citizens, and people with disabilities. In fact, about one in every five Americans relies on Medicaid for their medical needs.
In North Carolina alone, hundreds of thousands of people depend on Medicaid to access affordable healthcare. Nurses and healthcare workers fear that any cuts to this program could lead to widespread harm, especially in rural areas where healthcare options are already limited.
Broader Concerns
The protest in Hendersonville reflects a larger debate happening across the country. Lawmakers are facing pressure to reduce government spending while balancing the needs of everyday Americans.
Nurses like Molly Zenker argue that cutting funds from programs like Medicaid, which help millions of vulnerable people, is not the right solution. Instead, they believe that the government should prioritize healthcare funding over tax breaks for wealthy individuals and large corporations.
Their protest highlights the human side of these policy decisions. For them, it’s not just about numbers on a budget sheet — it’s about real people who need care, support, and security.
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