Dear Friends, 

Now that House Republicans passed their tax plan – by one vote – it heads to the Senate. I voted NO because it would cut the health care and benefits millions of Americans rely on to pay for tax cuts that largely benefit the wealthy. A new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found that if this bill becomes law, the deficit will go up by $2.4 trillion over the next decade and 16 million Americans would lose their Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage.

As the Senate takes up the bill, they are likely to make changes, which means the House will have to vote again before it can go to President Trump’s desk. Along with cuts to Medicaid, their plan could trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. Senate Republicans are considering additional changes to Medicare coverage and benefits as well. How would you be impacted by cuts to Medicare? I invite you to share your story with me HERE.

Thank you to everyone who joined me in Berlin, Manchester, West Hartford, and Wethersfield at forums to discuss what this bill would mean for our communities and the path forward in the Senate. I look forward to continuing these conversations on the path forward and my efforts to not cut but strengthen programs like Medicare and Social Security. You can view a recording of my forum in West Hartford below.

• Connecticut Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves shared with us the impact these cuts would have on our state. She outlined how coverage for dental and vision care, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and cancer treatments could be rolled back for residents with a Husky Health plan if this bill is enacted – the largest cut to Medicaid in the program’s history. 
  
• Jennifer Cavallaro, State Operations Director of Mosaic, shared how these cuts would impact residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said, “The proposed changes would result in longer waiting lists for home and community-based services. We already have more than 3,500 people on a waiting list, often in institutional settings or home with caregivers who really cannot provide the care.” 

I have heard directly from so many of you about how the Trump Administration’s policies, cuts, and proposals are impacting you or your loved ones. You can read some of these stories HERE and I invite you to share yours HERE. As your representative in Congress, I remain committed to doing everything I can to hold this Administration accountable and defeat their tax plan that is a bad deal for the American people. 

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress