Black Constituents Speak Out on Medicaid Cuts Impacting Virginians
Southampton, VA – Black constituents are speaking out following Rep. Jen Kiggans’ vote to cut Medicaid, warning that the cuts will disproportionately harm Black communities in Virginia and nationwide.
“We know that Black families will most likely feel these cuts to Medicaid the most. I grew up in Emporia, it’s not exactly known for accessibility,” said Bernita Richardson, resident of Virginia Beach. “I live in Virginia Beach now, where access to health care is paramount for my family. My son relies on Medicaid to get care for Cerebral Palsy, for those who live in rural areas, getting that care is becoming harder to get. If Rep. Jen Kiggans wants to show us that she stands with us, she can put away the platitudes and take action, and reverse these disastrous cuts to health care.”
“Medicaid cuts will affect every community, including veterans, and we have more veterans in Hampton Roads than almost anywhere else. These cuts to Medicaid hurt our Black veterans too, with 47,000 veterans in Virginia on Medicaid,” said Ken Sutton, 21-year Navy veteran and resident of Virginia Beach. “Everyone deserves access to health care, and it seems Rep. Kiggans only comes out to support veterans when it is convenient, not when it matters.”
When Rep. Jen Kiggans voted for the Republican Tax Law, she signed off on slashing Medicaid for 260,000 Virginians. These cuts disproportionately harm Black families, especially those in rural communities, who are more likely to rely on Medicaid due to longstanding inequities. Across the country, nearly a third of Black people rely on Medicaid, and that number goes up to almost 60% for Black children.
The impact is already being felt in Franklin City, Virginia, where a largely rural, majority-Black community depends on Southampton Medical Center for care as the hospital faces a growing risk of closure due to these Medicaid cuts. For many, Southampton Medical Center is the only source of emergency medical care within 36 miles. Hospital closures also mean lost jobs and harm for communities already stretched thin.
Read more about how Medicaid cuts harm Black communities: