Van Lear, Ky. – In response to the 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Congressional Candidate Ned Pillersdorf released the following statement recognizing the lifeline Medicare and Medicaid have been to residents of Kentucky’s 5th Congressional District and the harm those same residents face because of Republicans’ selfish, shameless and spineless cuts to these lifesaving services:

“For 60 years, Medicaid and Medicare have been a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of residents of the 5th Congressional District. These programs are a reflection of our values as Americans: that no matter where you live or how many zeroes are on your paycheck, you deserve access to quality and affordable health care. Medicare and Medicaid have provided lifesaving care to retired coal miners, treatment for those suffering from addiction and families who work hard, but just barely get by. They’ve helped fund hospitals across the District, giving our neighbors good paying jobs and health care close to home.

Hal Rogers has put these programs–and the lives of the people who depend on them–at risk. By supporting the One Big BS Bill, Congressman Rogers voted against the 316,000 residents of the 5th District who depend on Medicaid to survive. He voted against the retired coal miners, those recovering from addiction and every working family who is one paycheck away from economic uncertainty. He voted against the rural hospitals that employ thousands and keep our local economies running. He did this despite knowing we are the second poorest congressional district in the nation.

Congressman Rogers may be ok with a 5th District that is poorer, sicker and can’t escape the cycle of struggling, but I’m not, and I won’t stop fighting until every resident of the 5th District gets the coverage and care they deserve.”