1. United States
2. Wyo.
3. Letter

As a small business owner currently experiencing a sudden health crisis at age 38, I rely on Medicaid and SNAP and implore you to reject ALL cuts to these programs—including cuts disguised as program modifications.   Due to this unforeseen—often debilitating—health crisis, for which I cannot afford to take time off work, these are some things I’ve experienced in the last month: •Passing out at work •Becoming so weak/breathless I had to crawl to the door to let students into class •Being forced to stop in the middle of teaching to take emergency oxygen to avoid collapsing •Being forced to cancel classes to rush to the ER as my oxygen levels are dropping •Being forced to cancel classes & reject new students due to a prolonged hospital stay   In the midst of this and more, I must continue working to pay rent and make ends meet. Medicaid and SNAP have been my only means to buy groceries AND receive life-saving medical care. Without these programs, basic needs would not be met and I’d face the possibility of an early death. While I suffer the most terrifying health crisis of my life, Republicans convene behind closed doors to devise devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits that would remove my only access to life saving support and gut many vital programs that so many constituents rely on.   It’s clear to us—your former supporters who will be harmed by this—that you’re aware how deeply unpopular and harmful these cuts will be, so you hope to pass them secretly against the will and knowledge of the people you claim to represent. Concealing your machinations from public scrutiny and disguising program cuts as revised program requirement and stipulations meant to exclude many of the people who need these programs the most. Such underhanded efforts erode transparency and undermine the democratic process. Such cuts would undermine access to comprehensive health care services for low-income children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families while also making it harder for struggling households to put food on the table. Medicaid plays a vital role in our nation's health care system, providing access to affordable care for over 70 million Americans. SNAP is our most effective anti-hunger program, helping over 40 million people afford groceries and avoid food insecurity. These lifelines must not be sacrificed in service of subsidizing tax windfalls for affluent individuals and corporate entities at the expense of hardworking Americans. Slashing these programs to fund tax breaks for the rich and corporations is morally reprehensible and economically destructive. I urge you to reject any measure or budget proposal that cuts Medicaid, SNAP, or other critical anti-poverty programs in order to pay for deficit-financed tax cuts tilted toward the wealthy and big business. Please, have a conscience, show integrity, safeguard access to comprehensive healthcare and nutritional assistance for society's most vulnerable members.