http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/medicaid_article_s5.jpgU.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) Wants To Debate WI GOP Members Who Voted For Gutting Medicaid, Food Assistance, & Education.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) challenged Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans to defend their position after they voted for the $4.5 trillion transfer of wealth from everyday American working families to the richest Americans.

“My Republican colleagues must justify their votes to cut healthcare for up to a million Wisconsinites on Medicaid, take away food from hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin families on FoodShare, and drastically cut funds to public schools, all to pay for a $4.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. They need to explain their votes to their constituents at public town halls or any open forum. I will be happy to travel to any district in Wisconsin to join in this debate in front of their constituents in an open forum to ensure a full and fair conversation.”

The House Republican bill instructs Congressional committees to cut $880 billion from the Energy & Commerce Committee, $330 billion from the Education & Workforce Committee, and $230 billion from the Agriculture Committee to fund tax breaks. The New York Times reported that most of these cuts can only come from Medicaid, Public Schools, and Nutrition Assistance.

“This isn’t an attack on any Member of Congress, but a real concern that their vote will hurt the people of Wisconsin – and a public discussion is needed at minimum to ensure people are not hurt. Transparency is always the best policy. I’m willing to help.”

Medicaid provides health coverage to 1.05 million Wisconsin residents – or 18.2% of all Wisconsinites including:

• 33% of all children

• 45.5% of working-age adults with disabilities

• 55% of people living in nursing homes

Approximately 702,000 Wisconsin residents receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through Wisconsin FoodShare. The average daily benefit is just $6.16 per person.

A $330 billion cut from the Education and Workforce Committee would lead to a 45% cut in their overall budget.