WASHINGTON — Alesia Frerichs, president and CEO of Lutheran Services in America, issued the following statement in response to today’s Senate budget reconciliation vote with significant cuts to Medicaid:

“You don’t notice Medicaid until the prescription goes unfilled, the home aide stops coming, or your aging parent has nowhere to go. Every day, our network helps people hold their lives together. Today’s vote in the Senate will make that work harder.

“Lutheran Services in America serves one in 50 people in this country, many of whom are older adults, people with disabilities, and families navigating complex health challenges. This bill, while offering tax relief to some, does so by cutting Medicaid, a program that helps 70 million Americans access health care and live with dignity.

“We are disappointed by the direction this legislation has taken. It reflects a growing disconnect between federal budget decisions and the lived realities of those we serve every day. Cuts and added barriers will jeopardize care for millions and put even more pressure on the nonprofit providers working on the front lines.

“We remain committed to lifting up the voices of our national network and to working with leaders across the political spectrum to ensure policy decisions reflect our shared duty to care for one another.

“We stand firm in our mission and will continue to advocate for the people who depend on us most.

#MedicaidMatters #SocialImpact #FaithInAction #CommunityCare #HereWeStand