15-05-2025
Sen. Baldwin discusses concerns over Medicaid, health care cuts
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tammy Baldwin spoke Wednesday about the need to protect health care funding and her concerns about potential deep cuts being made.
Baldwin spoke to media across the state in a Zoom conference call Wednesday morning, prior to a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pension hearing with Robert Kennedy Jr., secretary of Health & Human Services, that took place later in the day. Baldwin said she wants to hear more details about his planned cuts, and which programs will be consolidated.
'They need to answer questions about what actions they are taking that will affect people's daily lives,' Baldwin said. 'He is not empowered to do this with the wave of a wand. We need to know more about why they are doing these hiring freezes.'
Baldwin, a Democrat, expressed concern about potential cuts to mental health programs.
'Given the lack of transparency and the lack of information, we know we need to press him, to make sure that dollars are available for those in a mental health crisis,' she said.
Baldwin talked about how Head Start programs in the state are in danger of losing federal funding. She said Kennedy has halted $1 billion in funding for Head Start programs nationwide.
'I am going to be asking him why they are choking off funding for this valuable program,' she said.
She also talked about schools in Milwaukee that are closed because of lead in the pipes, and the need for federal dollars to help address that.
Baldwin talked about meeting with Kennedy Jr. prior to him becoming secretary, and she opted to not vote to confirm him to the position.
'I came to the conclusion he was more interested in fringe conspiracy theories than to stand up to Donald Trump. I am seeing my worst fears play out.'
The Senate ultimately confirmed Kennedy Jr. on a 52-48 vote, with only Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky joining all Democrats against his confirmation.
Baldwin also talked about why healthcare access is so important to her.
'Health care is why I got into public service in the first place,' Baldwin said. She talked about having pre-existing health conditions as a child, with insurance companies refusing to cover her at that point in her life.
'I really took what I learned at a young age and it has guided me through my life,' she said.
The Republican Party of Wisconsin was contacted for a comment, but none were returned before press deadline.
