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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
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‘Well, we all are going to die': U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst defends Medicaid cuts at heated town hall
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst held a town hall at Aplington-Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg May 30, 2025. (Screenshot via C-SPAN) PARKERSBURG — At a sometime raucous town hall meeting Friday morning, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst faced vocal opposition on her support for spending cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. Like many other Republican lawmakers holding events with constituents throughout the country, Ernst faced a crowd at the Aplington-Parkersburg High School who were upset with decisions made by President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress — particularly as they relate to funding for health care and food assistance programs included in the 'big, beautiful' budget reconciliation bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House earlier in May. Though Ernst said the Senate would make changes to the measure and advance their own version of the legislation, she defended reductions in spending for Medicaid at the town hall, saying the changes will not impact people in need but will remove from the program 'illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits' and able-bodied adults who are not working. 'People will die,' a woman shouted at the stage as Ernst answered one of several questions about the cuts. 'People are not — well, we all are going to die, so for heaven's sake,' Ernst said in a response that was met by further shouts and jeering from the crowd. Ernst said she agrees with most of the provisions on Medicaid included in the House version of the budget reconciliation bill, saying that it was targeted at changes to the public health care program that 'made it much easier to get onto Medicaid, but much tougher to take people off of Medicaid.' Ernst said many people on Medicaid currently are working full-time and have access to other benefits. 'What we have to do is make sure that those that are not eligible by the federal standard for Medicaid are not receiving Medicaid,' Ernst said. 'What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits. So what we're trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program.' It its House form, the bill includes a $625 billion reduction in federal spending for Medicaid over 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. It also includes 80-hour-per-month work requirements for people between ages 19 and 65 to continue receiving Medicaid health coverage, with several exceptions for people with disabilities and complex medical conditions, pregnant people, tribal community members and parents of dependent children. Elizabeth Kehret, who works for Lutheran Services in Iowa, said she was troubled by the potential impact of Medicaid cuts for pregnant woman, saying that she was previously enrolled on Medicaid during her four pregnancies before the state revuised eligibility for postpartum coverage, changing it from families with incomes of 375% of the federal poverty line to those at 215% of the federal poverty line. Kehret said she was concerned the federal Medicaid spending cuts would cause similar cuts for care in states across the country, meaning pregnant people, who may also have private health coverage, will struggle to pay for the medical care required both before and after their child is born. 'I heard you say earlier about people who work full time but still get Medicaid — yeah,' Kehret said. 'I meet with dozens of women who have dual enrollment, where they have private insurance as well as Medicaid, and it helps cover the things that their private insurance doesn't, or that high deductible. … Medicaid is extremely important to the smallest and most vulnerable population in Iowa.' Ernst said there were provisions to allow continued Medicaid coverage for pregnant people in the House bill. 'Because you are part of that vulnerable population, we want to make sure that you have access to Medicaid,' Ernst said. 'So you will hear examples of those like the able-bodied, 30-year-old man who is taking advantage of the program, not working. What we're asking is that please engage in work activities, engage in volunteer activities, be enrolled in a training program, and then that makes you Medicaid eligible.' Similar concerns were brought up about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, that provides food assistance to low-income individuals. Under the House budget plan, some costs of SNAP would be moved to the states, in addition to adding other work requirements. Ernst said the House bill is correcting 'overpayments' from states on SNAP, in addition to removing 'people that have not been eligible for these programs by law as it is currently written' from public assistance. Several veterans also spoke at the event, criticizing Republicans and Elon Musk's DOGE Service for cuts to veterans' assistance programs and cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In response, Ernst said, 'We're not cutting veterans benefits.' Several veterans have been outspoken about changes made by DOGE to the VA, including the cut of roughly 2,400 VA jobs in early March. Ernst has been a major supporter of DOGE and efforts to make government more 'efficient,' saying Republicans and Musk are focused on removing areas of unnecessary spending and 'streamlining' existing programs and services. Ernst highlighted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an entity that can be made more efficient through DOGE efforts in response to a question on federal support following natural disasters. 'Department of Government Efficiency … the E is not about elimination, it is about efficiency,' Ernst said. 'So how can we do better as a federal government to respond to the people on the ground?'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hoda Kotb, In Return ‘Today' Visit, Denies Rumors She Will Succeed Kelly Clarkson With Daytime Talk Show
In her first visit to Today since stepping down as co-host, Hoda Kotb denied that she was looking for a return to daily television via a new daytime talk show that would replace Kelly Clarkson. 'Delete. Not true,' Kotb told her successor, Craig Melvin. More from Deadline Donald Trump Says He Plans To Pardon Reality Stars Todd And Julie Chrisley C-SPAN Faces A Funding Crisis Amid Cord Cutting, Even As D.C.'s Drama Makes Its Mission Ever More Important Hoda Kotb To Make Return Visit To 'Today' In First Appearance Since Stepping Down As Co-Host She asked Melvin and Savannah Guthrie, 'Do you think, if I ever came back to TV, do you know where the only place where I would ever come back to is? Right here!' Instead, Kotb's appearance on Today was to announce a new wellness venture, Joy 101, that will include an app where users can access personalized meditation sessions, courses and conversations. She also has plans for live events and 'happiness hours.' Kotb did say that she will be a guest on Clarkson's talk show next week. Kotb departed Today in January with a big sendoff, having served as co-host of the show since 2018. She also had co-hosted the fourth hour of Today along with Jenna Bush Hager, and plans to guest on the show later this morning. Kotb told Guthrie that their 'deep conversations that we had daily, that I miss to my core, were such a building block for what I am building now. It's find out what you love. That is what I have been seeking too, and this has been so helpful.' She also talked of getting to spend more time with her children Hope, 6, and Haley, 8. Her daughter Hope has type 1 diabetes. 'You were next to me through it all. You were in the hospital when it all happened,' Kotb said. 'You just get a priority check in your life. I can be here and sweating what is happening to Hope in the morning and the night, or I can be there and feel relief that I can see.' She added, 'One thing I have learned about having Hope … is I try not to put my worry on her.' She said her daughter is fine for most of the days, 'but there are just moments where you have to watch her. … For 23 1/2 hours she's every other kid. So I try to remember that.' Best of Deadline 'The Morning Show' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Says He Plans To Pardon Reality Stars Todd And Julie Chrisley
Donald Trump said that he plans to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality show stars who were sentenced in 2022 after fraud and tax evasion convictions. 'Your parents are going to be free and clean, and I am hoping we can do it by tomorrow,' Trump said in an Oval Office call with Savannah Chrisley, their daughter. More from Deadline Trump Celebrity Supporters: Famous Folks In Favor Of The 47th President C-SPAN Faces A Funding Crisis Amid Cord Cutting, Even As D.C.'s Drama Makes Its Mission Ever More Important Ken Dilanian To Serve As MSNBC's Justice Correspondent And Erielle Reshef To Join Network As National Correspondent 'I don't know them but give them my regards,' Trump said. Savannah Chrisley spoke at the Republican National Convention about her parents' incarceration, claiming that they were 'persecuted' by the justice system 'due to our public profile and conservative beliefs.' The Chrisleys were convicted of conspiring to defraud community banks in the Atlanta area as a way to obtain more than $36 million in personal loans. According to prosecutors, they spent the money on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel. Prosecutors said that they failed to file or pay taxes for the years 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years and Julie Chrisley to seven. The reality series Chrisley Knows Best ran on USA Network from 2014 to 2023. Lifetime recently ordered a new series set to follow Savannah Chrisley and her brother Chase, as well as other family members. Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Donald Trump Says He Plans To Pardon Reality Stars Todd And Julie Chrisley
Donald Trump said that he plans to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley, the reality show stars who were sentenced in 2022 after fraud and tax evasion convictions. 'Your parents are going to be free and clean, and I am hoping we can do it by tomorrow,' Trump said in an Oval Office call with Savannah Chrisley, their daughter. More from Deadline C-SPAN Faces A Funding Crisis Amid Cord Cutting, Even As D.C.'s Drama Makes Its Mission Ever More Important Ken Dilanian To Serve As MSNBC's Justice Correspondent And Erielle Reshef To Join Network As National Correspondent NPR And Colorado Public Radio Stations Sue Donald Trump Over Executive Order To Cease Federal Funding 'I don't know them but give them my regards,' Trump said. Savannah Chrisley spoke at the Republican National Convention about her parents' incarceration, claiming that they were 'persecuted' by the justice system 'due to our public profile and conservative beliefs.' The Chrisleys were convicted of conspiring to defraud community banks in the Atlanta area as a way to obtain more than $36 million in personal loans. According to prosecutors, they spent the money on luxury cars, designer clothes, real estate and travel. Prosecutors said that they failed to file or pay taxes for the years 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016. Todd Chrisley was sentenced to 12 years and Julie Chrisley to seven. The reality series Chrisley Knows Best ran on USA Network from 2014 to 2023. Lifetime recently ordered a new series set to follow Savannah Chrisley and her brother Chase, as well as other family members. BREAKING!President Trump calls @_ItsSavannah_ to inform her that he will be granting full pardons to her parents, Todd and Julie Chrisley! Trump Knows Best! — Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) May 27, 2025 Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
C-SPAN Faces A Funding Crisis Amid Cord Cutting, Even As D.C.'s Drama Makes Its Mission Ever More Important
Over the past week, C-SPAN has covered the narrow, early morning vote on Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill.' It carried in full the president's at-times bizarre Oval Office clash with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. It captured the heated exchange between Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Patti Murray (D-WA). At times the source of humor for its offering of comprehensive coverage of extremely wonkish TV in an era of ever-short attention spans, C-SPAN has nevertheless been a go-to destination for the unedited moments in D.C. at an unprecedented era of hyper-partisanship, high anxiety and heavy drama. More from Deadline Ken Dilanian To Serve As MSNBC's Justice Correspondent And Erielle Reshef To Join Network As National Correspondent NPR And Colorado Public Radio Stations Sue Donald Trump Over Executive Order To Cease Federal Funding Donald Trump Posts All-Caps Memorial Day Message Attacking "USA Hating Judges" And "Scum" Who Are "Trying To Destroy Our Country" The irony is that the network, launched in 1979, finds itself at a crossroads. Funded by the cable industry, it has seen its revenue fall as consumers cut the cord, while the most popular streaming alternatives have yet to carry the C-SPAN channels to make up for the loss. Sam Feist, who became the new CEO of C-SPAN last year, said that the result is a 'crisis of funding,' as virtual multichannel distributors like YouTube TV and Hulu have so far declined to add the channels to their lineups. 'That adds up to many millions of dollars of revenue for this non profit,' Feist said. 'We don't get government funding. We're completely dependent on those revenues. So it's a crisis for us, and it's unsustainable over time, and more importantly, as people switch from cable to YouTube TV because it might be a slightly less expensive service, they're no longer able to see their government unfiltered the way only C-SPAN provides it.' Feist said that the cost to distributors, 7.25 cents per subscriber per month, 'may be tiny and almost insignificant to an individual household, it is what pays to keep the lights on and the cameras covering Washington here at C-SPAN.' According to its IRS filing, C-SPAN's total revenue declined to $46.3 million in the year ended on March 31, 2024, from $49.4 million a year earlier. That figure reflects a drop in programming fees, its largest revenue stream. YouTube TV, the largest of the virtual MVPDs with estimates of 8 million to 10 million subscribers, has cited direct and indirect costs to their business, which may be passed on to subscribers. A YouTube TV spokesperson said, 'Unfortunately, our subscribers have not shown sufficient interest in adding C-SPAN to the YouTube TV lineup to justify the increased cost to subscribers' monthly bills.' The streamer said that it has proposed access to their prime time channels lineup, where users could directly pay for a subscription, and YouTube TV subscribers then could add the C-SPAN channels for a fee. The spokesperson also noted that a large amount of content was available on YouTube's main platform, and generated advertising revenue for C-SPAN. Yet that hasn't come close to making up for lost revenue. According to the IRS filing, C-SPAN's advertising returns, including short spots airing before online programming, are a fraction of programming fees, at $334,412 in the 2024 fiscal year. C-SPAN also has been taking donations, but that funding source also is small compared to the carriage fees. A Hulu spokesperson did not return a request for comment. Feist said that they have explored a paywall on the C-SPAN website, which does not carry all of the programming of the linear networks, but 'what we think are the most important things.' 'That's certainly not the solution to our funding problem, and our current situation is not sustainable. When 15 to 20 million people that had C-SPAN switched to a different service and no longer do, that is not sustainable,' Feist said. Founded by Brian Lamb, C-SPAN was started in 1979, with coverage of the House of Representatives. It later expanded to another channel covering the Senate, and later added a third channel covering public affairs programming. With its funding from the cable industry, C-SPAN also has served as a way for individual operators to show local communities their commitment to public service programming. Through the years, as multichannel viewing expanded to satellite and fiber, services like DirecTV and Fios also carried the networks. C-SPAN's areas of coverage now extend beyond Capitol Hill to the White House, the campaign trail, and even to live and consequential events like the recent papal conclave. C-SPAN has long sought televised coverage of the Supreme Court, and a breakthrough of sorts was seen during the pandemic, when the justices allowed live audio feeds of oral arguments. This fall will bring a high-profile addition to its programming lineup, in keeping with the network's mandate to remain neutral in the partisan fray. CeaseFire will feature lawmakers and other politicos of opposite parties seeking areas of agreement, rather than contentious argument. The show is Feist's idea, having joined C-SPAN after almost 35 years at CNN, including 13 years as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief. He also once oversaw CNN's Crossfire, which helped popularize the panel format but may be the opposite of what CeaseFire is trying to achieve. Crossfire, Feist said, 'was an important program that really helped you understand where Republicans were coming from, where Democrats were coming from. It was a raucous debate show. People enjoyed it. People watched it. It was frequently the most popular program on CNN in its heyday. But it wasn't a program that really led to common ground or compromise. And in America now, we're living through one of the most polarized periods at least in modern history. There seems to not be a lot of effort to seek common ground, at least in the media, or seek compromise.' Feist said that he's spoken to more than 100 members of Congress, including the question 'who's your best friend on the other side?' 'In almost every case, the member of Congress I was talking to gave me a name,' Feist said. When told about plans for the show, 'every single one of them said yes.' 'Now whether they'll actually come on or not, that is still to be determined. Maybe someone's staffer will think they'd rather have purity than compromise,' he said. 'But I don't think we'll have trouble finding people.' That said, Feist made clear that his 'number one mission right now is to help increase our distribution. It's actually to restore our distribution.' Some of the stars of C-SPAN — members of Congress — have put on the pressure. Last week, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Mike Flood (R-NE) wrote recently in Newsweek that C-SPAN's 7.25 cents per month fee is well below those of commercial news channels, including Fox News, at $2.50 per subscriber, and CNN, at $1.30. They wrote that it was even more essential to secure carriage on major streamers as younger audiences abandon linear TV. They wrote, 'While carrying C-SPAN may not dramatically grow YouTubeTV or Hulu's subscriber numbers, it provides viewers with an essential resource for understanding what their government is doing—letting them see for themselves what is going on in Washington. We recognize that this is a public service, but it's one that's an investment in our people and the future of America.' C-SPAN also may be one of the few outlets not in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump, who has recently talked of watching the channel, even at 3 a.m. in the morning. The network also has boosted its social media presence, including promising signs on TikTok, where C-SPAN has 2.6 million followers. According to figures from Tubular Labs and Fabric Media, C-SPAN is beating major news brands in TikTok views per video and in engagement. In the 12 months through April, C-SPAN's posts drew 710 million views, 1,184 uploads and 36.7 million engagements, outpacing The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg Business. C-SPAN has plans to add three more staffers this month to its social media team, Feist said. 'We're not trying to gain clicks with flamboyant headlines and language that you might normally see on social media,' Feist said. 'We're just putting it out there for the users to find, but we're definitely putting more content out there.' The core content from C-SPAN, though, will remain live and unfiltered events, something that may be more relevant now more than ever. Feist points to Ipsos polling showing a balance of viewership across political ideology. 'We're in a fascinating political environment,' he said. 'We have a very closely divided Congress. We have a president who is active and encourages the television cameras to come in to witness what he's doing, not just him, but the work of his administration, which then leads to Democrats hosting event after event in response to the president. And we're in a position to bring all of that live to the public.' Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
