Statement from Ann Marie Benitez, Senior Director of Government Relations, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, on the House Passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill

“We are outraged about the passage of this Budget Reconciliation Bill, which will have  devastating impacts on Latines, underserved communities, and the entire health care ecosystem. This is a direct attack on the health and dignity of our families and our futures, plain and simple.

“Not only does this bill make the largest cuts in history to the Medicaid program, restrict im/migrants’ access to essential health care, and “defund” Planned Parenthood, but it also funnels billions of dollars into an extreme anti-immigration and enforcement agenda. This will lead to an increase in the detention and jailing of im/migrant communities and families being separated, among other human rights violations.”

“Rather than promoting public health or financial responsibility, this legislation endangers our communities and sacrifices public well-being for the benefit of the rich and powerful. The healthcare cuts in this bill are cruel, punitive, and dishonest, and will not save money but shift the responsibility for essential healthcare costs to states, providers, and individuals.