Providence – On Saturday, May 3 at noon, hundreds of union healthcare workers, faith leaders, community allies and elected officials will gather at the State House for a “No Cuts to Care” Rally to demand Governor McKee and elected leaders protect vital healthcare services in the upcoming state budget amid the threat of sweeping federal cuts. In addition, they will announce the results of a no confidence petition with signatures they have been collecting for weeks to Governor McKee to demand he do better.
Currently, Congress and the Trump Administration are considering the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history, which will cut off coverage for up to 5.2 million American adults and throw the healthcare system into chaos. Here in Rhode Island, nearly 40,000 individuals would lose their Medicaid benefits, and the state would shed 3,500 jobs, with 1,800 in healthcare alone.
In the face of such devastating cuts, Governor McKee’s proposed healthcare budget could further harm healthcare workers and patients. His proposal aims to cut $25 million in funding to Rhode Island hospitals, roll back protections in the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act and fails to appropriately fund community health centers. In response, healthcare workers across the state have been signing on to a no confidence petition, the results of which they will announce on Saturday.
Currently, Congress and the Trump Administration are considering the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history, which will cut off coverage for up to 5.2 million American adults and throw the healthcare system into chaos. Here in Rhode Island, nearly 40,000 individuals would lose their Medicaid benefits, and the state would shed 3,500 jobs, with 1,800 in healthcare alone.
In the face of such devastating cuts, Governor McKee’s proposed healthcare budget could further harm healthcare workers and patients. His proposal aims to cut $25 million in funding to Rhode Island hospitals, roll back protections in the Nursing Home Staffing and Quality Care Act and fails to appropriately fund community health centers. In response, healthcare workers across the state have been signing on to a no confidence petition, the results of which they will announce on Saturday.
- WHAT: No Cuts to Care State Budget Rally & No Confidence Vote Delivery
- WHEN: Saturday, May 3 | Noon
- WHERE: State House Steps (Smith Street side)
- WHO: Hundreds of union healthcare workers as well as faith leaders, community allies and elected officials
###
District 1199 SEIU New England represents 29,000 health care and service workers in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southeastern Massachusetts. In Rhode Island, 1199 SEIU NE represents almost 5,000 members. 1199 SEIU NE is affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – a union of over 2 million members across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. SEIU has been a national leader in pushing the growing Fight for $15 and a Union movement.