As she discussed possible changes to Medicaid eligibility at a town hall in north-central Iowa on Friday, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst was greeted with cries and groans when she declared that “we all are going to die.”
As she defended the tax and immigration plan that has passed the House and is currently being considered by the Senate, she had remained steadfast in her stance during the heated event held at a high school in Parkersburg, Iowa.
She justified the $700 billion in decrease Medicaid funding, arguing that it would keep people who are illegal immigrants and those who have access to insurance via their employment off the rolls, in response to a number of voters who were worried about the cuts.
People will die without coverage, someone in the crowd then yelled.
Ernst drew moans when he said, “People are not … well, we all are going to die.”
“So, for heaven’s sakes. For heaven’s sakes, folks.”
Ernst continued, “What you don’t want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable.”
“Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid we will protect.”
At the behest of President Donald Trump, House Republicans this week pushed through the mammoth tax cut and spending package, known as “the big, beautiful bill,” by a single vote.
The Senate will now consider it.
Ernst clarified on Friday that the Senate’s version of any legislation will differ from the House’s.
Republicans have increased up eligibility verification and defended the new work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, claiming that the savings will be used to continue the program for disadvantaged groups.
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Millions of Americans will lose their insurance, Democrats fear.
According to the neutral Congressional Budget Office’s early estimate, the plans would result in an 8.6 million decrease in the number of individuals with health coverage over the course of ten years.
A video of Ernst’s remark began to circulate among Democratic candidates and political officials. In 2026, Ernst will run for reelection.
“This morning, Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud:” Republicans do not care “about whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer,” said Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee stated.
