Sen. Ernst tells town hall ‘we’re all going to die’ when pressed on GOP’s proposed changes to Medicaid

CNN —

GOP Sen. Joni Ernst on Friday faced concerns from town hall attendees over potential cuts to Medicaid and SNAP programs as a result of President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy bill, saying at one point, “Well, we’re all going to die,” and insisting that those who are eligible for Medicaid will continue to receive payments.

One audience member at the meeting in Parkersburg, Iowa, raised concern that changes in the legislation to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, as food stamps are formally known, could harm local economies and cost jobs. Ernst, in response, emphasized that those who are in the country illegally or do not qualify for the programs under current law will be removed as recipients from the rolls.

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