Latest news with #Bowser
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Democratic Mayor's Budget Would Remove 25,000 People From Medicaid
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a budget that would remove 25,000 people from Medicaid. The budget would update eligibility requirements for Medicaid in D.C. and subsequently lead to tens of thousands of people being kicked off the health coverage. Why It Matters Republicans have touted Medicaid cuts federally, with GOP leaders seeking changes to the program to pass a $2 trillion government spending cut. However, Democratic cuts to the program are relatively rare. Without access to Medicaid, many low-income D.C. residents would be forced to find other insurance or go without, potentially leading to medical debt and worse health outcomes. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses a remembrance and reopening ceremony at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum on May 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser addresses a remembrance and reopening ceremony at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum on May 29, 2025, in Washington, To Know Bowser's fiscal 2026 budget would change eligibility to help curb the estimated $182 million increase in Medicaid costs for the city. "We also have to deal with the fact that Medicaid is growing at a substantially faster clip than the city's revenues," said Wayne Turnage, deputy mayor for D.C. Health and Human Services, as reported by local station WTOP News. Under the budget, childless adults and adult caregivers would be ineligible if they have an income 138 percent of the federal poverty level or above. This likely would cut off 25,575 residents from Medicaid. "While any cut to this program is going to be difficult, one silver lining is the city has alternative health plans that could be available to some who are no longer ineligible," Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. "Ultimately, this could be a dilemma other cities facing rising expenses have to deal with in the coming years." Newsweek reached out to Bowser for comment via email. "When you have such cost inflation, the most pragmatic way to control costs in an entitlement program is to slow spending by reducing the number of people in the program," Turnage said during a presentation Tuesday. D.C. is facing a $1 billion decline in revenue over the several years, sparking the need to cut programs like Medicaid. "We think that we will be getting into an unsustainable decision-making loop of, 'I don't want to make hard choices,'" Bowser said. What People Are Saying D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, during a Tuesday briefing on the budget: "We can't invest in the best schools if we don't have revenue to do that. We can't have the types of human services programs that we've invested in if we don't have revenues. "If you don't have enough money, something has to go or you have to make more money." Chris Fong, CEO of Smile Insurance and a Medicaid specialist, told Newsweek: "This type of limitation would eliminate a larger number of DC residents from qualifying for Medicaid. These requirements are more commonly found in Republican leaning states. "It is surprising from a simply political position, but the current D.C. has been known to go against the more progressive democrat positions." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "D.C. is facing something than just a few years ago would have seemed highly unlikely: a severe reduction in its workforce due to recent labor cuts by the federal government and other major employers. Faced with fewer tax dollars and more expenses, this proposal would make childless adults and adult caregivers whose income is 138 percent of the federal poverty level ineligible for Medicaid." What Happens Next The D.C. council is set to debate the proposed changes during the budget process. Voting is expected to take place by early August. "The options the D.C. mayor has is to either increase the burden on the citizens of the city by increasing taxes or to reduce the number of Medicaid beneficiaries," Fong said. "I think it is likely this will pass given the current state of inflation and the challenges that the average citizen is running into when paying their daily bills."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DC mayor concerned about parade tanks' impact on streets
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is raising concerns that military tanks and armored vehicles set to roll down city streets next month for the Army's 250th anniversary parade will tear up the roadways. Bowser on Thursday warned that the city would be on the hook for expenses linked to repairing its streets after the June 14 event, with an unknown timetable for when the Pentagon might reimburse Washington. 'I remain concerned about it, I have to tell you,' she told reporters at a press conference. 'These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds.' 'That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back,' she added. The U.S. capital is poised to host a massive military parade to mark the Army milestone anniversary — which also falls on President Trump's birthday — featuring thousands of service members and dozens of military vehicles on a route that will stretch for nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House, according to service officials. Trump, who is set to speak during the event, has brushed aside concerns over the costs of the parade — upwards of $45 million — as 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' But city officials have raised fears that more than two dozen Abrams tanks, as well as numerous heavy armored vehicles, will damage city streets. Bowser last month said tanks taking to Washington's streets 'would not be good' and 'should be accompanied by many millions of dollars' for repairs. The Army has sought to alleviate these concerns by insisting thick metal plates will be put down on parts of the route beforehand, and any damage will be covered by the service. Military parades have been a sore subject between Trump and Bowser, who clashed over the same issue in 2018 during the president's first term. Trump, who had wanted to host a military parade after being inspired by France's Bastille Day celebrations, ultimately canceled his first-term plans for a state-side event and blamed 'local politicians' for an exorbitant price tag to make it happen. 'The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it,' he posted online at the time. Also included in the parade will be historic aircraft and at least 50 helicopters flying through Washington's skies, Army parachutists known as the Golden Knights and a fireworks display at dusk. Bowser said she was advised by the National Transportation Safety Board that 'there could be some disruption to the airspace at times,' due to the military aircraft, which could affect air travel for short periods of time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
DC mayor concerned about parade tanks' impact on streets
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is raising concerns that military tanks and armored vehicles set to roll down city streets next month for the Army's 250th anniversary parade will tear up the roadways. Bowser on Thursday warned the city would be on the hook for expenses linked to repairing its streets after the June 14 event, with an unknown timetable for when the Pentagon might reimburse Washington. 'I remain concerned about it, I have to tell you,' she told reporters at a press conference. 'These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered unusable, we have to make them usable and then go seek our money from the feds.' She added: 'That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back.' The U.S. capital is poised to host a massive military parade to mark the Army milestone anniversary — which also falls on President Trump's birthday — featuring thousands of service members and dozens of military vehicles on a route that will stretch for nearly four miles from the Pentagon to the White House, according to service officials. Trump, who is set to speak during the event, has brushed aside concerns over the costs of the parade — upwards of $45 million — as 'peanuts compared to the value of doing it.' But city officials have raised fears that more than two dozen Abrams tanks, as well as numerous heavy armored vehicles, will damage city streets. Bowser last month said tanks taking to Washington's streets 'would not be good' and 'should be accompanied by many millions of dollars' for repairs. The Army has sought to alleviate these concerns by insisting thick metal plates will be put down on parts of the route beforehand, and any damage will be covered by the service. Military parades have been a sore subject between Trump and Bowser, who clashed over the same issue in 2018 during the president's first term. Trump, who had wanted to host a military parade after being inspired by France's Bastille Day celebrations, ultimately canceled his first-term plans for a state-side event and blamed 'local politicians' for an exorbitant price tag to make it happen. 'The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it,' he tweeted at the time. Also included in the parade will be historic aircraft and at least 50 helicopters flying through Washington's skis, Army parachutists known as the Golden Knights and a fireworks display at dusk. Bowser said she was advised by the National Transportation Safety Board that 'there could be some disruption to the airspace at times,' due to the military aircraft, which could affect air travel for short periods of time.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
DC Mayor Bowser 'concerned' tanks will rip up streets in Army parade
The Army has since told reporters it did not expect damage to the streets, and would cover the cost of any distressed asphalt. Thick metal plates will be placed over turns on the tanks' parade route to protect the roads, according to Army officials. But Bowser said at a May 29 news conference she worried the city would have to shoulder those repairs and wait around for the Pentagon to reimburse. "I remain concerned about it," she said. "These are, for the most part, local streets, and if they're rendered in unusable, we have to make them usable." "Probably we would fix it and then go seek our money from the Fed," she said. "That gives me some concern about fronting costs and waiting for them to get back." More: Trump's getting his military parade. Here's what they look like from France to Russia The parade - which falls on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday - is a pressure point between Bowser and Trump, who clashed over Trump's push for a similarly huge military parade in his first term. Trump announced in 2018 that he had canceled his plans for the earlier parade, blaming Bowser and "local politicians" for jacking up the price tag to $21 million. "The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it," he tweeted. Bowser hit back that she "finally got thru to the reality star in the White House with the realities" of the cost. This time around, Bowser has held back from criticizing the upcoming parade, which will likely cost more than twice as much as the 2018 estimate - up to $45 million, according to the Army. The Army said May 21 the parade will feature 28 Abrams tanks and twice as many armored vehicles rolling down a strip of Constitution Avenue north of the National Mall. Historic fighter planes and at least 50 helicopters will fly overhead. Army parachutists, called the Golden Knights, will sail down and one will present a folded flag to Trump, who will speak from a presidential booth, USA TODAY previously reported.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DC prepares for summer filled with major events
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — In the District, officials are planning for a summer full of major events. 'We are proud to be a city that brings people together, and when it comes to hosting major events, no one does it quite like Washington, DC,' said Mayor Muriel Bowser. The summer lineup includes events such as World Pride 2025 from May 17 to June 8. DC bars allowed to be open 24 hours for WorldPride, FIFA matches 'It's a time we all must remain visible, stand up, show up,' said Ryan Bos, Executive Director of the Capital Pride Alliance. Bos said the District has already held its Trans Pride and Black Pride events. This weekend will mark the welcome ceremony and concert at Nationals Park, featuring Shakira. Next weekend is the Pride Parade. 'World Pride and Pride in general is universal. It's about having a safe space regardless of how we identify. To be there and be our authentic self,' he said. Police Chief Pamela Smith said her team has been planning for World Pride for about a year. At this point, she said there is no known credible threat. 'MPD will have an increased presence citywide,' said the Chief. 'We will activate our specialized units, and we will supplement our department with officers from our neighboring jurisdictions. These officers will assist with crowd management, traffic control, and maintaining a strong public safety presence throughout the duration of the festivities.' Her team will continue to monitor intelligence and adjust as needed. WMATA is also making adjustments for World Pride. Metro will run until 2 a.m. June 6th through June 8th, with the yellow line extended to Greenbelt. Tap-to-go also launched this week, allowing customers to pay their fare by tapping their credit or debit card. Other major upcoming events include the annual Fourth of July celebration, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the 250th Army Parade, set for June 14th. 'The Army 250 and the display of equipment and history of the army may be pretty spectacular,' said Bowser. Bowser said planning information from the District is limited at this time, as the event is a designated National Special Security Event, meaning the US Secret Service takes the lead on planning security. However, she did note the NTSB alerted her and her team that there could be disruptions to the airspace that weekend. As with all major events, Bowser reminds people that if they see something, say something. 'Something that doesn't feel right, doesn't look right, doesn't sound right to you,' she said, For more information on World Pride, text DC World Pride to 888-777. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
