1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

There is an urgent need to protect Medicare and Medicaid from harmful cuts proposed by the Republican budget plan. The House recently approved a budget resolution instructing the committee overseeing Medicaid to find $880 billion in savings, an amount impossible to reach without slashing the program. Despite claims of targeting "waste, fraud, and abuse," the proposals outline destructive changes like lowering federal matching rates, rolling back Medicaid expansion, capping funding, and imposing burdensome work requirements. Simultaneously, Congress faces a March 14 deadline to fund the government, with Republicans signaling a short-term extension may be needed. However, some Democrats are refusing to approve a stopgap without language preventing the White House from withholding congressionally approved funding. Given the high stakes for Medicare, Medicaid, and continued government operations, it is crucial that representatives reject draconian program cuts and instead safeguard these vital healthcare programs that millions rely upon. Prioritizing ideological budget goals over the wellbeing of vulnerable populations is unacceptable.