Rep. Jeff Hurd voted "yes" on the first step to cutting Medicaid on Feb. 25. He was in lockstep with his GOP colleagues in the House on the budget resolution, the first move in several to pass the GOP budget.
Of those of us living in Rep. Hurd's district, nearly one-third rely on Medicaid.
It's estimated that the Medicaid cuts proposed by the GOP -- and supported by Rep. Hurd -- will cost our congressional district $2.43 billion dollars. (Yes, billion with a B.) That's likely to have devastating effects on rural health care. Medicaid plays a huge role in keeping rural hospitals, such as Pagosa Springs Medical Center, afloat.
Why is Rep. Hurd voting against his constituents' interests?
Good question!
Well, the GOP has to find a way to pay for the more than $4 trillion (Yes, trillon with a T) in tax cuts they want to extend for the wealthiest Americans. And they expect the rest of us to bite the bullet and bear the cost.
The good news is, the vote on Feb. 25 was just the first step in the budget process. The Republicans hold a very slim margin in the House -- the budget vote was 217-215. If we can persuade Rep. Hurd to vote for his district instead of his party, we'll be one step closer to derailing these devastating cuts.
What you can do: Contact Rep. Hurd to let him know you expect him to protect his constituents and rural hospitals, not tax cuts for the wealthy.