SPOKANE — Dozens of medical workers gathered in downtown Spokane Tuesday afternoon to protest a local representative’s support of a proposed federal spending bill that includes significant cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs.
Representative Michael Baumgartner of Eastern Washington voted in favor of President Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which promises $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade.
The bill has already passed the House and, if signed into law, would reduce Medicaid spending by $600 billion over the next ten years.
Protesters said they fear the cuts would exacerbate an existing shortage of medical care providers in the region and negatively affect families, especially those with disabilities, the elderly and low-income households.
“Even my doctor, I went to her today, she said if we lose Medicaid, I won’t get paid. And they’re talking about our medical providers that provide the great quality health care we do get,” said Sunshine Lopez, a caregiver.
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Many protesters voiced concerns about family members with pre-existing conditions and emphasized the need to strengthen Medicaid rather than cut it.
4 News Now reached out to Representative Baumgartner for comment but did not hear back by publication.
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