Elon Musk advocates for the elimination of complete US government agencies
Elon Musk urged for the removal of entire agencies from the federal government as part of President Trump’s initiative to drastically reduce spending and shift priorities.
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- Democrats assert that one does not need to directly receive the benefit to be impacted by the Republican plan for tax and spending cuts.
- Congressional Democrats are responding vigorously against the trend to reduce federal funding.
The Gottsagen family has recently endured the painful experience of losing Medicaid after an administrative mistake caused a family member with Down Syndrome to be cut off from the benefit for six weeks – a situation they want to avoid repeating.
Shelley Gottsagen – whose son had his benefits reinstated on February 17 following a six-week hiatus – expressed her fear. If the proposals from the Republican-controlled Congress aiming to target government health insurance are enacted and significant cuts to Medicaid occur as many predict, the 69-year-old, who still works in social services, might be one of the many Floridians facing dire consequences.
Gottsagen fears facing yet another disruption in her son’s vital services that have helped him enhance his verbal abilities and aided him in maintaining his job bussing restaurant tables. Furthermore, cuts to Medicaid might jeopardize the 24-hour care her 90-year-old mother receives in an assisted living facility.
“Without it, individuals are going to face significant hardships,” stated the Boynton Beach resident. “Many are feeling quite desperate.”
Democrats Taking Initiative
Gottsagen participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Democratic U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach on February 20. Similarly, her South Florida Democratic congressional colleagues are convening discussions in their districts, raising concerns about what the proposed $2 trillion cuts to federal government spending could entail for local communities.
While Frankel concentrated solely on the potential destruction of Medicaid in the suggested spending cuts, U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-West Palm Beach, emphasized the ongoing impact on approximately 9,000 federal workers in her district. Additionally, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, raised awareness about the loss of crucial health care and food support for families and seniors.
Frankel encouraged voters across the nation to reach out via phone and email before these devastating cuts can take effect.
“These irresponsible cuts will adversely affect the most vulnerable populations — seniors, children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities, all while providing enormous tax breaks to wealthy contributors,” Frankel stated. “We must prevent this from occurring.”
Who Will Be Impacted?
According to the Florida Health Care Association, Medicaid is responsible for nearly 60% of long-term care costs in Florida. Consequently, significant cuts to or a potential termination of this support could force some nursing homes to shut down, thereby limiting options for people in need of care, Frankel indicated.
Medicaid, designed to provide health care to those earning below a specific threshold that varies by state, differs from Medicare, which is the government health program for individuals aged 65 and older. Medicare enrollment is not income-based, with over 5 million Floridians participating, as reported by the latest state Health Department details for 2023.
Current discussions regarding cuts to government spending have not yet shifted focus onto Medicare with the same intensity as has been seen in Medicaid discussions. However, health advocates contend that reductions to Medicaid may subsequently affect Medicare services since Medicaid funding also supports facilities that serve Medicare recipients.
Furthermore, nearly 100,000 prenatal care and delivery instances were financed by Medicaid in Florida, with the last count indicating that more than 42% of new Floridians were covered. By 2023, around 2.5 million Florida children — more than 40% — depended on government health insurance aimed at low-income individuals, according to an analysis from Georgetown University based on data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Nearly 290,000 adults with disabilities are also reliant on it, as pointed out by Frankel.
The existing needs of these individuals will not simply disappear if Medicaid is reduced, as reiterated by panelists. If Medicaid care ceases, local emergency rooms will likely experience increased pressure and overcrowding.
“To arbitrarily cut off assistance to people, without having a more comprehensive plan in place is potentially harmful to many,” remarked Dr. Brent Schillinger, chair of the Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit research and policy think tank.
Schillinger referenced President Trump’s comments during a presidential debate when he said he had a “concept of a plan” for the country’s health care system.
Felicia Bruce, president of the Florida Association of Retired Americans, forewarned about Medicaid-funded nursing home residents potentially being forced to move in with their adult children or facing possible death without access to health care. Frankel emphasized that those qualifying for Medicaid typically have depleted their assets.
“Some injuries are irreversible, and the cuts being discussed are the kind that can lead to fatalities,” Bruce cautioned.
Current Job and Service Loss
While the roundtable led by Frankel concentrated on potential future implications of budget cuts, Cherfilus-McCormick highlighted how the ongoing massive layoffs of federal workers could have widespread negative impacts. This effort is being championed by President Trump’s new ally, billionaire Elon Musk, who has made significant errors and affected essential workers with his drastic claims.
“District 20 employs over 9,000 federal workers who deliver vital services to our veterans and maintain operational air traffic,” stated the congresswoman in her address. “Many of these workers are currently losing fundamental workforce rights due to the recent executive orders that target federal employees. This is intolerable.”
Wasserman Schultz referred to the impending government funding reductions as a theft from the most vulnerable for the benefit of the wealthy in her discussion on February 20.
“Republicans are systematically stripping health care away from millions who rely on it, just to provide sizable tax breaks to millionaires, billionaires, and large corporations,” Wasserman Schultz asserted.
Polls Indicate Decline in Trump’s Approval and Growing Pushback from Republicans
The continuous stream of cost-reduction headlines could shorten Trump’s initial period in the White House. An Emerson College survey of U.S. voters released Wednesday noted a slight decline in Trump’s approval rating by 1 point to 48% favorable, contrasted with 42% disapproval.
Though this shift is minimal, the analysis by Emerson pollsters suggested the “findings indicate generally unpopular domestic and foreign policy initiatives.”
Two other polls released on February 20 revealed that American voters expressed concerns regarding Trump potentially overstepping his authority, and the cost-reduction headlines are not welcomed amidst dropping consumer prices. A CNN/SSRS poll recorded a 52% disapproval rating against 47% approval for the president, while a Washington Post/Ipsos poll showed him in a negative light with 45% approval and 53% disapproval.
This dissent is not confined to blue districts.
This week, social media exploded with footage of Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick facing boos and jeers during a town hall, where constituents articulated their dissatisfaction with what one described as Musk’s “chainsaw approach” to budget reductions along with other grievances.
Trump responded to the backlash by posting on his social media platform, stating that the Democratic opposition is “led by defeated individuals” who are “losing their minds” and direction.
“They have lost their confidence and spirit – They have gone insane!” he stated. “We are on the brink of significant victories for our country and will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. It’s happening now and will continue to grow and improve like never before!”
Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter and Antonio Fins is the business and politics editor at The Palm Beach Post, a part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. They can be contacted at [email protected] or [email protected]. Support our journalism – subscribe today.
