Republicans would take away our kids’ healthcare for billionaire tax cuts. Disgusting. | Opinion

Right now, politicians in Washington are debating the future of Medicaid. They throw around big numbers and rhetoric around “waste,” “fraud,” and “abuse.” For too many politicians in Washington, Medicaid is just another political football to be tossed around as red meat rhetoric to throw to their bases in hopes of securing their next campaign donation.

But Medicaid is not a political football to us, nor is it some abstract political debate. To us it is literally a lifesaver.

As the parents of two children adopted out of the foster care system who suffer from complex medical issues, Medicaid is the difference between providing for our family or not.

And it is not just us. For millions of other families just like ours, Medicaid isn’t just a safety net — it’s a critical part of our survival and well-being, providing access to essential services and care that we would otherwise be unable to afford. The importance of Medicaid cannot be overstated, particularly for families dealing with chronic conditions, disabilities and other long-term medical challenges.

In our family, our 5-year-old daughter has had six hospitalizations and four ambulance rides to deal with her complex health issues. Our son, who is 7 years old, navigates Autism and ADHD. Medicaid has paid for all their treatments, and if it weren’t for Medicaid, we would easily be bankrupt, twice over.

What often gets lost in the political debate is that Medicaid is the backbone of American health care, covering more than 72 million people across race, income, and geography. It funds health care for nearly half of all births, two-thirds of nursing home residents and millions of people with disabilities.

Medicaid offers comprehensive coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and specialty services. These services are not optional for families with complex medical needs like ours. They are vital to maintaining the health and quality of life for our children. In fact, for our family, and millions like us, Medicaid provides the only means of accessing necessary therapies, medical devices and specialized medical care.

And now, Republicans and President Donald Trump in Washington are contemplating cutting the program so they can pay for tax cuts of billionaires. That would be a devastating outcome for our family.

We are a veteran and a school teacher. We have served our nation and our community. And our kids deserve better than politicians who will sell out our healthcare so billionaires, who already get extensive tax cuts, can get even richer.

Medicaid is not a political football. It is not a bargaining chip to be sold away. It is even more than just an insurance program — it is a lifeline for families with complex medical needs. It ensures our loved ones can access the care they need to thrive without the crushing weight of financial strain. In one of the wealthiest nations on earth, no family should have to choose between lifesaving medical care for their children and being able to put food on their table.

Medicaid works. We should be working to strengthen and expand it, not gut it. Our kids, and millions of others across the country, deserve high-quality health care.