WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) stood with Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3), Grace Meng (NY-6), Yvette Clarke (NY-9), House Democratic Women Members, and a coalition of women from across the country to denounce Republicans’ continued attacks on working families’ health care. Below are excerpts from their remarks.
Whip Clark:
"The same right-wingers who lecture women about having more babies, in the same breath are saying: 'Let’s kick millions of women off their health insurance. Let’s defund women’s health clinics. Let’s cut Medicaid by $1 trillion.'
"$1 trillion!
"Let’s be very clear about who they are taking that money from. 40% of all births in this country are paid for by Medicaid. 40% of our kids are covered by Medicaid. And among the lowest-income families? Families living under the poverty line? 80% of our kids are covered by Medicaid.
"And think about what it means to live under the poverty line. A single mom and one child, that means surviving on less than $22,000 a year. That’s who they want to go after? That’s who has it too good? That’s who needs to sacrifice more and get by with less?
"How morally bankrupt do you have to be to say with a straight face that a child should not be able to go to the doctor because Elon wants to be a trillionaire?"
Rep. Leger Fernández:
"We know that Republicans have abandoned America during this emergency health care crisis. Because what is the question we should be asking? Not, who to blame for their shutdown. It’s, what are the consequences? That's the question. Who will be harmed if we don't stand up for American's health care?
"That's why it's so important to hear the stories of not just the doctors, but of the mothers who are doing everything they can to keep their children healthy."
Rep. Meng:
"As the mom of two boys, I know firsthand how vital it is for women and families to have access to the health care that they need.
"The recent Medicaid cuts made by Republicans and their refusal to extend tax credits for health care premiums are unacceptable.
"These attacks on our health care system need to end. And I will keep up the fight to protect our health care and lower costs."
Rep. Clarke:
"There is a human impact to governmental shutdowns, just as there's a human impact to the GOP's crusade to cut Americans health care. And that, unfortunately, is by design.
"In the face of these devastating cuts, Democrats are here to say we will continue to fight for the women, children and families who most need fighters in this moment. We will fight.
"No matter what Donald Trump and Mike Johnson might want, we're not going to yield an inch to their cruelty. We will fight.
"Not today will we yield. Not tomorrow will we yield. Never will we yield.
"The American people deserve better. And Democrats – Democratic women – are here to say we will fight."
Dr. Tamara Blackwood:
"A few weeks ago, I saw a little boy and his family had a lapse in their Medicaid coverage. During that time, the family had to decide between keeping their lights on and paying for their child's controller medication.
"He ended up in our emergency room. He had a prolonged ICU stay. And he almost did not make it.
"Medicaid is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. It is keeping our children and not only our local community, but our national community, alive ... We need to choose our children, and that means keeping Medicaid intact and our premiums low."
Theresa Luoni:
"I'm the single mother of twin boys, Dylan and Max, who are both profoundly autistic. Dylan is nonverbal, but deeply empathetic. His smile can brighten the hardest of days, and he loves to help with chores, especially gardening and landscaping. Max is pre-verbal, but he's already taught himself how to read, solve math problems, and master technologies in ways that constantly surprise me.
"...Here's the reality: because of their profound needs, it is falling on me as their mother to provide round the clock care. Like so many women, I just step away from my career.
"...That choice has meant living in poverty. It has meant putting my own stability and career aside, and has meant relying on Medicaid. Not because I want to, but because without Medicaid, my children's therapies, their medical care, and even the chance for them to thrive, would be impossible."
Laura Packard:
"Eight years ago, I walked into a doctor's office with a nagging cough and walked out with a stage four cancer diagnosis.
"Thankfully, I had good insurance through the Affordable Care Act, which paid for the six months of chemotherapy and months of radiation treatments it took for me to be here in remission today.
"I am so grateful to the Affordable Care Act, for me being here, being alive. But what I am not grateful for was that Republicans have threatened that health care. They did it eight years ago, and they're doing it again today.
"Millions of Americans rely on their insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and many of us are going to be priced out.
"I dread checking the mail right now, because any day now, I'm going to get a letter from my insurance company with my premiums for next year. Whatever they charge me, I have to pay it.
"As a cancer survivor, I can't go without health insurance. And if they do not renew the subsidies, I will not qualify for help next year. So that means whatever they charge, I have to somehow figure out how to pay for it."
Philippa Pham Hughes:
"In 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the entire treatment would have cost $150,000, but I paid $3,000. And that's because I had health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
"...My premium has risen every single year since then. Right now it's about $1,100 per month, and that's a lot of money for a freelance artist. But I can continue to pay for health insurance because of the tax credits.
"...Last month, I got this email from the DC Health Insurance marketplace, and it said that the tax credits are ending and I freaked out because, basically, once that tax credit goes away it's going to double what I have to pay every month. And that means about 20% of my income and I just don't even know how to afford 20% of my income.
"...Everything already costs too much. Everything keeps costing more and more every day, every week. And Trump and the Republicans are simply making it worse."
To view the complete press conference, click HERE. To view photos, click HERE.