ICYMI: GIFFORDS and Reproductive Freedom for All host roundtable in Tucson on danger posed by Republican cuts to Medicaid

TUCSON, AZ — On Monday, GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, joined Reproductive Freedom for All for a roundtable on the risks extremist Republican efforts to slash Medicaid pose to Arizonans.

The roundtable focused on how Medicaid, which is often the only health coverage available to gun violence survivors, covers critical services like trauma surgery, physical rehabilitation, mental health counseling, and long-term recovery. Survivors of gun violence who are left with lasting injuries, PTSD, and physical limitations often require ongoing care supported by Medicaid.

“America is in the middle of an ongoing gun violence epidemic that devastates tens of thousands of lives each year,” said former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. “To strip away critical support services for gun violence survivors, moving lifesaving healthcare behind an even higher barrier, is beyond cruel. The price of Medicaid cuts will be paid in lives.”

Mini Timmaraju, CEO and President of Reproductive Freedom for All, said, “Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, including Rep. Ciscomani, are coming for Medicaid in a direct and deadly assault on health care access. If you are having a baby in America, it’s often Medicaid that covers your hospital visit, your follow-up care, and your recovery. Our roundtable discussion brought to light what families really want: safe communities, access to health care, and elected officials who fight to protect their rights.”

Former Congresswoman Giffords and Timmaraju were joined by Arizona Senate Democratic Leader Priya Sundareshan, as well as Dr. Lawrence DeLuca and Dr. Tori Fewell of the University of Arizona. 

“We’re here because Republicans in Congress right now are talking about cuts to Medicaid, which would have drastic impacts on everyone,” said Priya Sundareshan, Arizona Senate Democratic Leader. “So much of this Medicaid cuts discussion is being done in order to allow for tax cuts for billionaires. Let’s be clear that there is a prioritization going on in the process where they are choosing to sacrifice children for the wealthy few.”

“When we talk about Medicaid, we need to stop saying they, and we need to start saying we,” said Dr. Lawrence DeLuca, an emergency and critical care physician and associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Arizona. “You don’t plan to be in a car accident. No one puts themselves in front of a loaded gun. People can unexpectedly have their lives radically changed, and not just in the short term […] People are not going to get less sick because we took away their healthcare; just the opposite.”