1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to protect Medicaid Funding, SNAP, and other essential programs in this week’s negotiations around the Federal spending bill. It doesn’t matter what they call these cuts-”reforms”,“work requirements”, etc.- these cuts mean fewer North Carolinians will be able to see a doctor and put food on the table! Medicaid and CHIP are a lifeline – providing affordable health coverage to 1 in 3 people in our district including children, people in nursing homes and those living with a disability and chronic illness. Any cuts would be catastrophic to countless North Carolinians, and would also decimate hospitals and health care systems, especially in our rural communities. Additionally, SNAP is essential because it helps keep our North Carolina families fed, and it also has a positive impact on local farmers and grocery stores. Cuts to this funding are not only cruel but economically damaging. 15 percent of households in NC’s 11th Congressional district participate in SNAP in an average month, including members of my immediate family. This deeply harmful bill is being rushed forward for a vote that would take health coverage and food assistance away from millions of people — to pay for trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy. This legislation will put people’s lives on the line, and Congress should reject it. With it, Congressional leaders are breaking their election promises to lower costs for families and help people who are struggling to make ends meet. I join others across Western NC in calling on you to demonstrate the same courage and moral clarity as Senator Tillis and defend these essential programs. We are counting on you to stand up and fight for North Carolina.