LANSING — Today, Taylor and Kyle Johnson, constituents of John James, joined Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel to share their story on how cuts to Medicaid could hurt their family and slam John James and the Republican field running for governor for either supporting these cuts or refusing to speak out.
The Johnson’s are parents to six-year old George, who is one of more than 450,000 Michiganders who could be impacted by the Republican cuts to Medicaid that James voted for.
Kyle and Taylor Johnson: “[James’] votes last week make it clear that he has no place being the next governor of Michigan. But it’s not just him, the entire Republican field of candidates for governor support these cuts or have been conspicuously silent and not speaking up or out. Tom Leonard said he supports the cuts 100% and the other candidates have hid. It’s shameful.”
Chair Hertel: “This disastrous budget bill will have huge impacts on the future of our state, with nearly half a million Michiganders posed to lose health insurance, ten of thousands of people’s jobs threatened, and hospitals facing closure.”
James has cast one of the deciding votes and attempted to mislead Michiganders by claiming that he’s “saving Medicaid” — which is a warped view out-of-touch with reality.
Besides James, the rest of the GOP field has supported these cuts or refused to oppose them:
- Lobbyist Tom Leonard, when asked about the cuts, said “Yes, I support that. 100%.”
- Aric Nesbitt’s counterpart in the state House, Republican Speaker Matt Hall, has also already gleefully announced his support. Nesbitt has avoided talking about the bill and voted against a state Senate resolution last month condemning the bill.
- Mike Cox has also refused to speak out against the bill.
Watch the full press conference HERE
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