Contact:
Julia Hamelburg, 202-739-2506
jhamelburg@demgovs.org

In response to Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP food benefits, the country’s 23 Democratic governors – who represent a majority of the U.S. population – released the following statement:
 
“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of kids, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities in our states and nationwide. Republicans’ proposed cuts would be disastrous – ripping away quality, affordable health care from families, forcing rural hospitals to close their doors, and causing fiscal chaos across the country. 
 
“On top of targeting Americans’ health care, Republicans have proposed gutting food assistance – also known as SNAP benefits – which will make groceries more expensive, shutter local grocery stores, and force kids to go hungry.
 
“The notion that states will respond to massive cuts to federally appropriated dollars by backfilling with state resources is simply inaccurate and impossible. These proposals are not just a ‘cost shift’ to states, they are cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and the social safety net that supports millions of Americans.
 
“As governors, we stand united against any attempt to gut these critical programs that keep our country’s kids, seniors, and veterans healthy and safe – and we invite our Republican colleagues to join us.” 
 
Signed by:
 
DGA Chair Governor Laura Kelly, DGA Vice Chair Governor Andy Beshear, Governor Tony Evers, Governor Bob Ferguson, Governor Josh Green, Governor Maura Healey, Governor Katie Hobbs, Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor Tina Kotek, Governor Ned Lamont, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor Dan McKee, Governor Matt Meyer, Governor Janet Mills, Governor Wes Moore, Governor Phil Murphy, Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Jared Polis, Governor JB Pritzker, Governor Josh Shapiro, Governor Josh Stein, Governor Tim Walz, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer