On Medicaid Awareness Month, Advocates Sound Alarm On How Medicaid Cuts Will Impact Hampton Roads Families

Virginia Beach, VA – On Thursday, as part of the Stop Taking Our Health Care campaign and to mark Medicaid Awareness Month, advocates, health care experts, and concerned individuals gathered to call out Rep. Jen Kiggans’ votes to slash Medicaid and discuss the direct impact these cuts have on the Hampton Roads community.  

“During my years as a nurse, I saw firsthand how critical preventative care is. The patients who had access to regular check-ups, screenings, and early treatment were far more likely to stay healthy. Medicaid made that care possible for so many people. It’s scary to think about what will happen if those services are taken away,” said Glenn, retired nurse and veteran from Virginia Beach. “We’re talking about people missing cancer screenings, skipping medications, and ending up in crisis when it could have been prevented. Rep. Jen Kiggans is a nurse. She should know this.”

When Rep. Jen Kiggans voted for the Republican Tax Law, she slashed Medicaid for 260,000 Virginians who rely on it. Medicaid cuts in the Republican Tax Law have put Southampton Medical Center in Franklin at risk of closure. For many, Southampton Medical Center is the only source of emergency medical care within 36 miles. The cuts would also impact many veterans in Rep. Jen Kiggans district. One out of ten veterans is on Medicaid, and about 3 million children in military families nationwide are eligible for Medicaid.

“As an Air Force veteran, I’m one of many veterans in Hampton Roads who relies on Medicaid to make sure our families get the care they need. My daughter is autistic, and Medicaid helps cover her speech therapy,” said Yusun, veteran from Virginia Beach. “Medicaid helps my family thrive. The thought of losing that support is deeply concerning, because so many of us depend on it every single day. I hope that Rep. Jen Kiggans can reverse course and start fighting for everyday families in her district.”

Affordable Virginia has released three television ads highlighting some of Rep. Jen Kiggans constituents stories whose families rely on this health care program. The ads call on Rep. Jen Kiggans to stop cutting health care to give tax breaks to billionaires.