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NILES — More than 90 protesters gathered in front of Representative Tim Walberg’s Niles office Monday afternoon to voice their concerns over potential cuts to Medicaid.

The Republican-led Congress is considering cuts to Medicaid, the government health insurance program for low-income households. 

The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to approve a budget framework that could lead to more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid, an amount protesters said would reward the wealthy and hurt the common people. While the measure does not detail specific cuts, it asks for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce – which oversees Medicaid – to reduce spending by at least $880 billion over the next ten years.

The protest is the third of its kind in less than a month, with protestors speaking out against Elon Musk’s influence on the government as well as the HR 22/SAVE Act. A letter written by Jim Pedersen on behalf of concerned Congressional District 5 Constituents was sent to Walberg’s office Monday.

“The recent House Republican budget resolution bill calls for some $880 billion in unspecified cuts from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which considers Medicare and Medicaid,” Pedersen wrote. “Your House Committee on Education and Workforce is tasked with cutting the second largest amount, $330 billion, putting Pell Grants, student loans, OSHA and skilled workforce training in jeopardy. Congressman, this level of cutting is not going to happen without real pain to thousands of your constituents, and will not be offset by the proposed tax cuts.”

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