In a time when MAGA and traditional Republicans are celebrating the reverse Robin Hood rob from the poor and middle class and give to the wealthy Trump Big Ugly Angel of Death Economic Plan that cuts access to Medicaid, Rural Health Care, Food Assistance, Pell Grants, Clean Energy jobs, and as Treasury Secretary Bessent admitted at a conservative event, the first salvo of privatizing Social Security through the perversion of the Trump Baby Accounts, Arizona Democrats celebrated the anniversary of the creation of Medicaid during the Great Society/War on Poverty Johnson/Humphrey Administration and condemned those who would take it away from those who need it.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs wrote:
“For six decades, Medicaid has been a lifeline for generations of Arizonans, creating access to healthcare and wellbeing for millions. One of my proudest votes in the state legislature was to restore Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans, and as Governor, I am committed to protecting Arizonans’ right to healthcare.
“Today, this vital program is in jeopardy. From Flagstaff Medical Center to Sunset Health Clinic in Yuma, I’ve heard from providers and patients about how federal cuts to Medicaid will endanger Arizonans’ lives and livelihoods, leaving families without healthcare and leading rural hospitals to cut critical services or to shutter.
“I’ve heard from families who rely on the Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD) program, which provides critical services under the State’s Medicaid waiver for Arizonans with disabilities like autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. I was proud to stand with those families and protect their access to care, signing the Arizona Promise Budget that fully funds DDD for more than 60,000 Arizonans.
“Preserving Medicaid is about safeguarding and expanding opportunity, security, and freedom for Arizonans. Ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare is absolutely essential. I will continue to fight for Arizonans who rely on Medicaid. The Arizona Promise depends on it.”
In a press statement announcing an event, condemning MAGA Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Karrin Taylor Robson and Andy Biggs for their support of the reverse Robin Hood Rob from the Poor and Give to the Rich Economic Bill, Copper State Democrats relayed:
“Both Andy Biggs and Karrin Taylor Robson supported the GOP budget bill, which could rip away healthcare from 365,000 Arizonans and threaten the closure of rural hospitals across the state. Andy Biggs said, “I agree with the more cut approach,” advocating to kick more Arizonans off their healthcare than already in the GOP budget bill, which he called a “good thing.”
Karrin Taylor Robson called the GOP budget bill that kicks hundreds of thousands of Arizonans off their healthcare a “huge win” and “historic.”
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly offered:
“60 years ago today, Medicare and Medicaid were created to provide affordable health care for American seniors and working families. Now they’re under attack, and millions of Americans could soon lose their Medicaid coverage because of Trump’s big bill. In the richest country in the history of the world, no one should go bankrupt getting the care they need.”
Senator Ruben Gallego conveyed:
“Poor people shouldn’t die because they can’t afford healthcare. That’s why 60 years ago we created Medicaid. But Republicans just gutted it to fund tax cuts for billionaires. This fight isn’t over.”
Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari posted on social media:
“On this day 60 years ago, Medicaid and Medicare were established, giving millions of people access to the care they need. I‘ll always fight against cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and support local centers like Wesley Community & Health Center that rely on Medicaid to provide essential care.”
Arizona Representative Greg Stanton wrote:
“For 60 years, Medicaid and Medicare have helped Arizona families access care. But under Trump’s plan, hundreds of thousands of Arizonans—seniors, children, families—could lose their coverage.”
Arizona Congressional District Seven Nominee Adelita Grijalva posted a social media video of an event she was at earlier today showing support for the American Social Safety Net, saying:
“Hi Friends. We’re here on Pima and Swan. We are celebrating Medicaid’s birthday. Happy 60th birthday! We are surrounded by people who are impacted by Medicaid and want to protect Medicaid for the community and want to make sure that they’re represent here from them about how frustrating it is to not have someone standing up for it. We are here to join in solidarity with the people that are fighting to keep hands up Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Because we need this in our communities, so join me! Sign up, protest, fight. Let’s protect Medicaid.”
DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly condemned three of the MAGA Republicans representing Arizona Battleground Districts, writing:
“For Medicaid’s 60th birthday, it’s a cruel irony that David Schweikert, Eli Crane, Juan Ciscomani, and House Republicans decided to throw the lifesaving program a wake instead of a birthday party. Schweikert, Crane, and Ciscomani broke their promises to lower costs for working families, instead choosing to side with the GOP’s billionaire backers. Arizonans will remember their betrayal when they reject Schweikert, Crane, and Ciscomani in 2026.”
JoAnna Mendoza, the Democrat looking to retire Juan Ciscomani, released the below video where she said:
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking today, especially on the anniversary, the 60th anniversary of Medicaid here in Arizona. We call Medicaid AHCCCS and I’ve been thinking about what it means to me into my family. A lot of you know that I grew up in poverty in a rural Community here in Arizona. And like many families, my family had a hard time making ends meet and it wasn’t because they were lazy or locked the work ethic. It was because the system isn’t built for families like ours and it was actually AHCCCS that allowed me to grow healthy and strong, and to be able to serve my country for 20 years because when I needed to go to the doctor as a kid, I could. My family didn’t have to worry about paying my health care bill or paying for rent or food. And right now, the promise of AHCCCS, the promise of Medicaid Has been attacked, has been broken by politicians in Washington politicians like Juan Ciscomani who make promises to the people that they’re supposed to represent and break them. And how did he break that promise. By voting for the Big Billionaire Bill that puts billionaires ahead as a priority instead of our families and our children so they can get another tax break and buy another yacht or rent out a whole country for whatever reason. And this is one of the reasons that I’m running for Congress is because I am sick and tired of politicians who do not understand the lived experiences of working people, and I will fight to expand to protect Medicaid because I know what it means, I’d love to hear more about how this big billionaire bill is impacting your families and your lives…”
Jonathan Nez, looking again to win the Congressional seat currently held by Eli Crane, posted:
“Today is the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Never forget how Eli Crane has voted to gut Medicaid through the budget bill earlier this year. We must protect these benefits for all Americans, not cut them.”
Marlene Galán Woods, one of the Democrats looking to defeat David Schweikert, commented to Blog for Arizona:
“David Schweikert voted to give a tax break for billionaires by gutting healthcare for thousands of Arizonans, all while raising the deficit. I’m running to stop Schweikert from hurting Arizona families further, and in Congress, I’ll fight to protect our healthcare.”
Dr. Amish Shah, the Democratic House Nominee against Schweikert in 2024, wrote an op-ed condemning the Republicans vote to support Medicaid cuts and issued several posts including:
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