“...This will impact our entire healthcare delivery system,” said Monica Villarreal, reverend, Michigan United.

Activists, healthcare workers, and families were demanding urgent action. They said cuts to Medicaid would overwhelm hospitals, jeopardize maternal and infant care, and threaten critical services for seniors and people with disabilities.

She also warned that slashing SNAP and TANF benefits would lead to a surge in hunger and financial hardship, with over 82,000 county residents relying on food assistance.

“Twenty-eight percent of all residents in Genesee County are on Medicaid as an affordable healthcare plan - that’s just over 100,000,” Villarreal said.

Organizers said showing up at Wednesday’s meeting was about more than just raising awareness, they wanted concrete plans from local leaders on how residents will be shielded from the fallout and they’re urging people to call their congressional representatives and demand a “no” vote before it’s too late.

“The bill that’s being considered at the federal level is currently sitting at the Senate. So, we need to be calling Sen. Slotkin and Sen. Peters and making our demands known,” said the reverend."