Latest news with #HillaryRodham
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Townhall of concerned Arkansans voice fears over Medicaid, SNAP cuts in Trump's proposed bill
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -In a packed town hall at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children's Library and Learning Center, central Arkansans gathered to voice their concerns about the effects of proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The discussion centered on President Donald Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate and its potential to impact those across the country with disabilities, the elderly and low-income families. Faith leaders protest 'big, beautiful bill' One of the most impassioned voices at the town hall was that of William Gerard, a SNAP beneficiary with cerebral palsy who also depends on Medicaid to survive. Unable to work due to his condition, Gerard shared his testimony about how these programs are 'literally life-saving' for him. 'If I didn't have Medicaid, I don't know how I would survive,' said Gerard, who is on a regimen of 10 to 12 medications, some of which cost thousands of dollars. 'Some of my seizure medications, for example, can be in the thousands. With Medicaid paying for it, I might have to pay $2, and that really helps me.' Gerard's story is a poignant reminder of how Medicaid and SNAP provide vital support for millions of Americans. Under the budget reconciliation bill that passed the House of Representatives, $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid could result in nearly 11 million Americans losing coverage over the next decade according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analysis released Wednesday. For Gerard and approximately 190,000 other Arkansans, these cuts would have catastrophic consequences. Beyond the cuts to Medicaid, the proposed bill also includes steep reductions to SNAP benefits, totaling an estimated $230 billion over the next ten years. Gerard, who receives just $60 in food stamps each month, expressed the challenges this would create. 'I only get $60 in food stamps. So, what's $60 going to buy me?' he asked. 'We need to get Arkansans more food stamps that deserve it, instead of taking it away from us and making us decide what can I eat?' This concern was echoed by others at the meeting, who worried that the cuts to both Medicaid and SNAP would place an even greater burden on already struggling families, according to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. The bill proposes several requirements, including the potential for states to take on more financial responsibility for these programs. The town hall participants discussed the wider implications of these cuts, particularly the snowball effect they would have on the lives of Arkansans. The potential loss of Medicaid coverage alone could leave thousands of individuals without access to necessary healthcare, while the SNAP cuts could push more people into food insecurity, according to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. According to the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, more than 97,000 people in Arkansas Congressional District 2 could be impacted by the proposed $109 million cut to SNAP. These cuts could devastate families, particularly those with children, since nearly 45% of SNAP enrollees in Arkansas are parents who rely on the program to feed their families, according to . Another significant concern voiced at the town hall was the proposed work requirements that would accompany these cuts. Gerard, who receives both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), expressed his fears for those who, like him, are unable to work due to their disabilities. 'What about the elderly, the disabled, the people who can't work? How are they supposed to make a living?' Gerard asked. 'I went to a school for handicapped children, and I've seen kids who could barely feed themselves, let alone work.' Big, beautiful bill heads to the Senate For many at the town hall, these proposed cuts aren't just about numbers in Washington—they represent the erosion of a safety net for vulnerable citizens who have no other means of support. The bill, if passed, could force these individuals into even more precarious situations, with few options for survival. 'I'm not fighting for just me,' Gerard said. 'I'm fighting for all Arkansans who are struggling to make ends meet, for all of us who depend on Medicaid and food stamps to survive.' The town hall concluded with a clear message: for concerned Arkansans to contact their congressional representatives and 'make their voices heard.' 'Stop and think about what you're doing to Arkansans—those on disability, the elderly, the most vulnerable,' Gerard said. 'If these cuts go through, it's not just about money, it's about survival.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
6 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton, a Democrat, served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Born on August 19, 1946, as William Jefferson Blythe III, his father, William Jefferson Blythe II, tragically died in a car accident before Clinton was born. His mother, Virginia Cassidy Blythe, left him in the care of his grandparents while she attended nursing school. Clinton later graduated from Georgetown University, earned a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, and obtained a law degree from Yale University in 1973. In 1975, Bill Clinton married Hillary Rodham. His political career began in Arkansas, where he was elected attorney general in 1976 after an unsuccessful congressional run two years earlier. In 1978, he became governor of Arkansas but lost his bid for a second term. The Clintons welcomed their daughter, Chelsea, in 1980. Four years later, Clinton reclaimed the governorship and eventually launched his presidential campaign against Republican George H.W. Bush. In 1992, Clinton and his running mate, Albert Gore Jr., won the election, defeating Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot. Clinton secured a second term in 1996, overcoming Republican Bob Dole and, once again, Perot. Clinton's presidency was marked by achievements such as high homeownership rates, the creation of 22 million jobs, and low unemployment. However, his tenure was also marred by scandal. Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern, had an affair with Clinton, leading to his impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998, for perjury before a grand jury and obstruction of justice. After his presidency, Clinton remained active in politics, consistently supporting Democratic candidates, including his wife Hillary Clinton's 2008 bid for the presidency — where she lost in the primaries to Barack Obama — and again in her 2016 presidential campaign, which she lost to Republican challenger Donald Trump. Clinton has authored several books, including "My Life," "Back to Work," and "Citizen: My Life After the White House," reflecting on his experiences and contributions. He is also a grandfather to Charlotte, Aidan, and Jasper.
