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Heather Braum

@hbraum.bsky.social
1.2K followers 849 following 378 posts

Kansan. Librarian. Oliver and Charis’ (cat) Mom. Kids health policy, including Medicaid, CHIP, & immunization policy, esp for #ksleg. Forever recovering techie. Opinions+content=my own.

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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Back in May, Penn: “We’re going to have some fun in DC. We’re going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple (of) people cry, & that’s what we look forward to doing bc America has to change.” There’s millions crying now—who can’t even afford eggs. www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
kansascity.com
Meet the former Kansas lawmaker fighting for Trump admin to keep SNAP aid frozen
“We’re going to have some fun in D.C. We’re going to break a few eggs, make a few omelettes. Make a couple people cry,” Penn said in May.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
The cruelty in this moment of those in charge of running federal programs that vulnerable people — particularly children — rely on … the English language lacks the words to describe their deliberate, political choices. Does any language have the words? I doubt it. thehill.com/homenews/hou...
thehill.com
SNAP funding expiration set to hit 40 million people
More than 40 million low-income food stamp beneficiaries are expected to receive less help with grocery bills — or no help at all — in the coming days. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is …
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
People will be losing their health insurance coverage over the next several years, and/or they won’t be able to afford it bc thx Congress and CMS changed. And,their healthcare issues won’t magically disappear. But sure, get all bent out of shape about a stupid logo revamp.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
This guy. And his sister (not pictured). Glad to come home to them tonight. (Even as he whines for his beloved feather toy)
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Hakeem Jefferson @hakeemjefferson.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
I grew up in rural South Carolina with a single mom who worked multiple jobs. At times, we relied on Medicaid and SNAP—like so many others. My heart breaks for those now wondering if that help will still be there. Imagine having all that power and choosing to make people’s lives worse. Shameful.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
How does one hold hope (bc I somehow still do) and righteous anger and sadness and keep trying to find ways forward and keep working? It’s a rough morning and going to be a rough time moving forward, indefinitely. There’s more to say but others are saying it much more eloquently.
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
The most infuriating thing about all this is that these cowards are caving in fear of Trump, on issues he himself has *no idea* he’s demanding. Because he’s a moron and his closest allies have been too afraid to tell him the truth. www.notus.org/congress/rec...
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
I have no words to share this morning. So here’s a photo of Charis curling up with me before I finally get moving this morning. Thankful for her.
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Liz Williams @liz-williams.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
The Senate reconciliation bill would reduce federal #Medicaid spending by $1 trillion over 10 years. Provisions that only apply to ACA expansion states account for $526 billion of the federal spending reductions. NEW @kff.org analysis looks at the impact across states: www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
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Edwin Park @edwincpark.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
The House-passed reconciliation bill would slash #Medicaid enrollment by 10.5 million by 2034 according to CBO. While CBO estimates aren't yet availabe, the Senate bill which is even more draconian is certain to slash enrollment by more.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
Kansans— before our senators vote this weekend on a massive bill that will hurt Kansas kids & families (includes major funding cuts to & bad policy changes for both Medicaid & SNAP), contact their offices tonight (& ask your friends & family to do the same): win.newmode.net/kac/federalc...
win.newmode.net
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Posting this for so many reasons today. Too many leaders — and humanity — have lost sight of this purpose.
Photo of a quote that reads “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” Dr. Albert Schweitzer
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
When you look collectively at what’s being done to destroy generations of progress (yet so much more to do) on health policy to protect the most vulnerable (HHS program elim/funding cuts+vaccine dismantling) — the interview at end of the linked piece…it’s not far-fetched. Go look up the targets.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
To every Senator who believe the House Medicaid cuts are ”better” than the Senate version, you’re wrong. The House version still amounts to the largest Medicaid cuts ever — and results in millions uninsured & adds many more hoops to getting coverage. Don’t use Medicaid to fund your schemes. Period.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
“The letter that RFK Jr. sent to Congress to justify his decisions abt Covid-19 vaccines would fail a 10th grade science class. As a document produced by the Dept of HHS, it is a stunning indictment on the lack of integrity of the nation’s leading health official.” @pauloffit.bsky.social
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Will Skipworth @willskipworth.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Amid New Hampshire’s tight labor market and low Medicaid reimbursement rates, people with disabilities face challenges hiring the essential caretakers they need. I spoke with some of these folks with unique needs, who told me how frustrating it can be.
newhampshirebulletin.com
In New Hampshire, people with disabilities face challenges hiring the help they need • New Hampshire Bulletin
Last time Jim Piet, who has cerebral palsy, needed to hire a new personal care assistant to help him complete daily tasks, it took four months.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Media headlines focus on so-called national leaders' spat, while Congress continues discussions to make harmful, awful cuts to programs that help families, people w disabilities, & seniors survive & thrive, including health care, food assistance, & child tax credit. Don't fall for the distraction.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
From @hcrichardson.bsky.social’s latest. Was also my thoughts when I saw last night’s headlines. Don’t get distracted from Congress considering largest cuts ever to Medicaid+SNAP & numerous other harmful proposals that will hurt (or worse) people AND state budgets. open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
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Edwin Park @edwincpark.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Since the House Energy and Commerce Committee reported out its bill last Wednesday, there have been two sets of language revisions that have made the #Medicaid cuts even more draconian, not less. So the coverage losses and damaging impact will certainly be greater and take effect sooner (9/x)
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Brendan Duke @brendanvduke.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Official CBO analysis confirms the obvious: House Republican tax and budget bill isn't shared sacrifice. It makes poor people poorer and rich people richer. It does this by cutting health care & nutrition to help finance tax cuts skewed to the wealthy. www.cbo.gov/publication/...
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
As I've said this "big beautiful bill" is a massive transfer of wealth from poor to rich, young to old, and future to past wapo.st/43hNrpn
wapo.st
Opinion | The pronatalist party escalates its war on children
The Republican Party’s Medicaid and SNAP cuts disproportionately hurt children and babies.
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Catherine Rampell @crampell.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
CBO just released its own preliminary estimates for how rich vs poor are affected by the House budget bill. Roughly same conclusion: poorest get poorer, richest get richer. www.cbo.gov/system/files...
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
AOC, talking Medicaid cuts — after Rep. Weber chides her for addressing the camera: “.. There are 13.7 million Americans on the other side of that screen. .. They deserve. To see. What is happening. Here.” @aoc.bsky.social
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Not great on GIF/meme game. BUT: The distracting headlines that anger you--what is going on behind the curtain? Like, maybe Congress debating the largest cuts in Medicaid & SNAP in history--taking health care and food away from people to pay for tax cuts? Where's your outrage and energy there?
media.tenor.com
a man in a suit is standing in a room with a green curtain behind him and talking to a machine .
ALT: a man in a suit is standing in a room with a green curtain behind him and talking to a machine .
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Seeing reports of Congress disagreements on estimates of "how many" Americans will lose health care coverage bc of proposed Medicaid cuts/other harmful Medicaid polices+deliberately allowing ACA premium tax credits to expire. Good grief. 🆘We should all be mad if ONE person loses health insurance!!!🆘
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Georgetown CCF @georgetownccf.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Medicaid work requirements have a catchy name, but they will catch up a lot of eligible people in red tape and cause them to lose their health coverage. House Energy and Commerce Committee is debating this now. #healthpolicy ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/05/13/h...
ccf.georgetown.edu
How Do We Know Congress’s Work Requirements in Medicaid Will Fail? They Already Have.
As expected, the House’s rushed attempt to finance the Trump Administration’s immigration and tax agenda by cutting Medicaid includes a “work requirement.” Proponents claim that it is intended to s…
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
High stakes in the legislative debate about to unfold in the House. We will be watching. #ACA #Medicaid
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Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
CBO estimates $301 billion in savings from Medicaid work and reporting requirements. That suggests a lot of people would lose coverage, either because they're not working or get caught in red tape. www.politico.com/live-updates...
politico.com
CBO: 7.6 million would go uninsured under GOP Medicaid bill
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that many of the major Medicaid policies would account for $625 billion in savings, though the CBO didn’t calculate the impacts of all provisions.
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Liz Szabo @lizszabo.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
RFK Jr. has said nothing about the growing pertussis epidemic, which has killed children in Washington, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Idaho. Nor has he said anything about the 216 children who have died this season from influenza—a death rate in children not seen since the global flu pandemic in 2009
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Doctors for America @drsforamerica.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Medicaid work reporting requirements will cost kids their coverage, it will cost jobs, and it will cost lives. 15,400 - Estimated deaths resulting from a federal Medicaid work requirement for the expansion population. www.americanprogress...
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Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 12/05/2025
So House Republicans are fighting about the Medicaid cuts in the tax bill for the rich - not because it kicks nearly 9 million people off Medicaid - but because it doesn't kick *enough* people off Medicaid. Vote accordingly.
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Lauren Bauer @laurenhlb.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
As we wait for House Ag to drop, a reminder that: - SNAP benefit amounts are literally thrifty - SNAP work requirements do not increase employment (but participating in SNAP does) - State cost sharing + restricting work requirement waivers will destroy SNAP's effectiveness as an automatic stabilizer
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Anthony Wright @awright2care.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
The newly released #Medicaid cuts would terminate millions from coverage, would increase costs on consumers, put in place paperwork and bureaucratic burdens as new barriers to care and coverage.. and cut hospitals & health providers we all rely on. That's what they are voting on.
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Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Republicans' big tax bill could result in at least 13.7 million people losing their health insurance by 2034, according to analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
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Margot Sanger-Katz @sangerkatz.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
The morning after House Republicans release a plan to reduce Medicaid spending by hundreds of billions, Sen. Josh Hawley is out with an op-ed encouraging his colleagues not to cut the program. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/o...
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Joan Alker @joanalker1.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
More detailed analysis on our website soon but top line the House GOP bill is the biggest cut to Medicaid ever and saves $ not by addressing fraud as promised but by taking away people’s Medicaid. CBO estimates at least 8.6 million more uninsured.
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Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Here is a link to the preliminary CBO analysis of the House Republican Medicaid plan, estimating 8.6 million more uninsured people. democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-su...
democrats-energycommerce.house.gov
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Larry Levitt @larrylevitt.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Many of the Medicaid proposals from House Republicans are technical and wonky, and will be difficult for the public to absorb.   What won’t be difficult to absorb: CBO’s estimate that the changes will increase the number of people without health insurance by at least 8.6 million.
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Many R policymakers say they don’t want to harm people as they make hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts, but the release of this extreme bill means they can no longer hide the harm they would cause with these proposals.
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Repealing the eligibility rules would also let states lock kids out of CHIP coverage if their parents aren’t able to pay premiums & make it harder for seniors with low incomes to afford Medicare coverage, causing people to skip care & become less healthy.
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
The bill would take coverage away from people who can’t meet work requirements, putting millions at risk of losing care. Past experience shows people who are working & those who are sick & supposed to be exempt often lose coverage b/c of red tape barriers. www.cbpp.org/blog/georgia...
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
By the #s: (1) Work requirements put millions of ppl’s health coverage at risk, (2) ending a rule that streamlined enrollment processes will take Medicaid from 2.3 M (per CBO), (3) making millions of ppl re-prove their eligibility 2x/year also will reduce coverage.
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Sarah Lueck @sarahl202.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Medicaid cuts in the House E & C Cmte bill would take health coverage away from millions by slashing hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds. Loss of coverage means diseases go untreated & families face exorbitant medical debt.🧵 energycommerce.house.gov/posts/chairm...
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
my heart aches for the people whose lives will be ruined if this becomes law. so it's our job to stop it. here's my thread on the process, and where we can fight bsky.app/profile/bbko...
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
medicaid is supposed to be a lifeline for people. the foundational promise of a good society should be food, housing, and health. republicans want to break that for medicaid. and tomorrow we'll see text from the ag committee - where they'll call to break it for food, too.
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
finally for medicaid, they're MANDATING cost sharing (copays, etc.) for adults above 100% of the poverty line. maximum of $35 per service, and max of 5% of your income. so if you make 20k, a state might slap $1k of fees onto your medicaid. true sicko shit!!!!
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
onto work requirements. important to note that work requirements are actually all about *reporting* on your work. states that have implemented work requirements have led to disaster with huge numbers of people who are working still being kicked off their medicaid. this would be a federal mandate.
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
next section is more stuff going after undocumented folks for medicaid and chip. they really, really, really don't want poor undocumented children having any health care.
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Heather Braum @hbraum.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
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