Rep. Begich Votes in Favor of Tax Bill that Could Cut Health and Food Benefits for Thousands of Alaskans

Rep. Begich votes in favor of tax bill that could cut health and food benefits for thousands of Alaskans

The bill would make cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program while ballooning the federal deficit.

Medicaid cuts could hurt low-income Alaskans, damage health care system

Experts said Medicaid cuts proposed in next year's federal budget could hurt almost 250,000 Alaskans and threaten thousands of jobs in the state's health care industry. Congressional Republicans are calling for $800 billion in reductions to the state-federal program providing health insurance to low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Shannon Davenport, president of the Alaska Nurses Association, said Medicaid is the…