GOP uses distraction to falsely claim Democrats want healthcare for illegal immigrants

Editor:

Republicans claim that Democrats are shutting down the government because they want to give free healthcare to immigrants in the country illegally.  That is a lie.  It has no basis in reality.

Republicans are lying because they want to take away your healthcare, and they know that is unpopular. The major legislation Republicans passed this year, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is designed to take healthcare away from millions of citizens and vastly increase the cost of health care for millions more.

At the same time, it will give tax breaks to their millionaire and billionaire donors and balloon our national debt. According to the non-profit health policy research organization, KFF, healthcare plans could, on average, more than double next year – from $888 this year to $1,906 next year.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that 22 million people, including about 5 million small businesses and self-employed workers, will have their healthcare cost will skyrocket, or lose their coverage.  Democrats are not asking to give healthcare to those in the country illegally.

Since January, when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House they have cut healthcare, healthcare research and healthcare workers. They have terminated grants, even those that were approved by Congress, in violation of the Impoundment Act. They have fired hundreds if not thousands of researchers.

The CDC and NIH are now prioritizing political agendas over scientific research. Allie Sinclair, a scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, mapped out how research cuts affect communities.

For example, according to her research, Claudia Tenney’s district would lose $64 million annually and lose 275 jobs. Nicholas Langworth’s district would suffer even more with a loss of 317 jobs and $74 million loss annually.

Ms. Tenney and Mr. Langworthy could represent their constituents, but they chose to represent their wealthy donors. Remember, these cuts to healthcare, healthcare research and your healthcare policies are so that Republicans can give tax breaks to their millionaire and billionaire donors.

Democrats’ only leverage is to force Republicans to negotiate some concessions.  Democrats are not asking to give healthcare to those in the country illegally. That claim is outrageous and an obvious distraction from Republican healthcare cuts.

William Fine

Brockport