NEWS: Senator Baldwin Announces Stage 4 Cancer Patient Who Relies on Medicaid as Guest for State of the Union

Baldwin will highlight Republicans’ budget that tees up more than $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Milwaukee constituent Renee Scherck-Meyer will be her guest at this year’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Renee has incurable stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to her brain, lungs, and liver. Renee relies on Medicaid for her treatment, and without it, she would be forced to ration or forego cancer treatment, hastening her death, or increasing her risk of bankruptcy trying to afford treatment to stay alive.
“Republicans are planning to rip away health care from more than one million Wisconsinites on Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,”said Senator Baldwin.“While it’s one thing to cite numbers and statistics about those who will be impacted by these cuts to Medicaid, it’s another thing to put a face and name to one of them. That’s why I am honored to bring Renee, a Wisconsinite who is petrified that her Medicaid coverage might be ripped out from under her, as my guest to this year’s State of the Union. As Renee bravely battles cancer, the absolute last thing she should be focused on is whether she’ll have to ration or forego care because of Medicaid cuts. But that’s the reality she – and so many others – are facing.I’m proud to share Renee’s story and fight against cuts to the health care program that so many Wisconsinites rely on and, in Renee’s case, need to stay alive.”
Republicans are planning deep cuts to Medicaid that will jeopardize the coverage of 72 million Americans, or1 in 5 peopleliving in the United States who use Medicaid. This includes nearly half of all children,31.5 million, over8.3 millionseniors, and around15 millionpeople with disabilities. Medicaid also pays for6 out of 10residents in nursing homes, with5.6 millionAmericans counting on Medicaid for their long-term care bills and Medicaid paying forover halfof long-term care in the United States. Severe cuts to Medicaid will alsojeopardizerural hospitals and clinics’ ability to keep their doors open. Over12 millionrural Americans rely on Medicaid for health care.
In Wisconsin, over1.2 millionare enrolled in Medicaid. About1 in 3children in both Wisconsin’s rural and metro communities have Medicaid coverage. More than300,000 kidsunder age 19 are members of BadgerCare Plus or another Wisconsin Medicaid program.
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