Republican Sen. Joni Ernst defends proposed Medicaid cuts: ‘We all are going to die’

At a town hall event in Iowa on Friday, Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, faced questions about cuts to Medicaid in the House budget bill. One attendee expressed concerns that the cuts could result in deaths, to which Ernst responded by acknowledging that everyone will eventually die. Her response was met with criticism from the audience.

The discussion began with a participant raising issues about the bill benefiting the wealthy while removing people from Medicaid and food assistance programs. Ernst defended the cuts by stating that those who are not eligible for Medicaid will be the ones affected, emphasizing that those who truly need the assistance will still receive it.

Ernst also mentioned that an estimated 1.4 million undocumented immigrants are currently receiving Medicaid benefits, a figure supported by the White House and other Republicans. She clarified that these individuals would no longer be eligible for Medicaid under the proposed changes.

The senator’s comments sparked backlash from Democrats, who accused her of prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy over the well-being of constituents. Despite the criticism, Ernst reiterated her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and ensuring the integrity of the Medicaid program.

In addition to the Medicaid issue, Ernst faced questions about defense cuts and her backing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the town hall. She defended her stance on the proposed changes to Medicaid, asserting that the reforms would ultimately strengthen the program and better serve those in need.