LANSING — Today, Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation that will take health care away from hundreds of thousands of Michigan families and cut the pay of skilled trades workers across the state. In response, state Rep. Tom Cochran (D-Mason) issued the following statement:
“When it comes to feeling financially sound, few things matter more than knowing your paycheck is secure and knowing you can take yourself or your kid to the doctor when someone’s sick. Today, Republicans in the Michigan Legislature issued an attack on both. Their assault on Medicaid will leave hundreds of thousands of working people unable to see a doctor for even the most routine medical issues, stripping them of what is a basic human right: access to quality health care. And as if that weren’t enough, their repeal of prevailing wage will result in massive pay cuts to hardworking skilled trades and construction workers. Together, these measures rob working families of their financial freedom and leave them feeling insecure about their future, which is why I fought against them and voted a hard no on both bills As a former firefighter and fire chief, I will always be on the side of working people and families who know what it’s like to have to work to make ends meet, not on the side of special interests and politicians who are out of touch with Michigan families.”