Heather Braum
@hbraum.bsky.social
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.
Pinned
Heather Braum
@hbraum.bsky.social
· Apr 5
a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine
ALT: a cartoon dog is sitting at a table in front of a fire with the words it 's fine everything is fine
media.tenor.com
1) KS MMR rates ⬇️ measles cases ⬆️
* kansasreflector.com/2025/04/02/v...
* www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles...
* immunizekansascoalition.org/measles
2) Fed public health $$ clawed back www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
3) ksleg loosening child care vaccine exemptions www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
* kansasreflector.com/2025/04/02/v...
* www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles...
* immunizekansascoalition.org/measles
2) Fed public health $$ clawed back www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
3) ksleg loosening child care vaccine exemptions www.kansascity.com/opinion/read...
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...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
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.
www.kansascity.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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...
www.kansascity.com/news/politic...
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...
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 …
thehill.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:39 PM
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...
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.
August 22, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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.
This guy. And his sister (not pictured). Glad to come home to them tonight. (Even as he whines for his beloved feather toy)
July 3, 2025 at 11:03 PM
This guy. And his sister (not pictured). Glad to come home to them tonight. (Even as he whines for his beloved feather toy)
Reposted by Heather Braum
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.
Imagine having all that power and choosing to make people’s lives worse.
Shameful.
July 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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.
Imagine having all that power and choosing to make people’s lives worse.
Shameful.
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.
July 3, 2025 at 1:38 PM
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.
Reposted by Heather Braum
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...
July 3, 2025 at 9:32 AM
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...
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.
July 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
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.
Reposted by Heather Braum
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...
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...
July 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Heather Braum
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.
Hassett blatantly lies: "The bottom line is we are not talking away anybody Medicaid."
June 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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.
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...
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
win.newmode.net
June 28, 2025 at 12:20 AM
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...
Posting this for so many reasons today. Too many leaders — and humanity — have lost sight of this purpose.
June 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Posting this for so many reasons today. Too many leaders — and humanity — have lost sight of this purpose.
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.
4. “But ... history isn’t over, the future will contain events as ... horrible as the events of the past, and this stuff is just what it looks like: an assault on the foundations of our gov't, with all the terrifying ... implications that it seems to have.”
www.editorialboard.com/unsaid-make-...
www.editorialboard.com/unsaid-make-...
Unsaid: ‘Make America Healthy Again’ means kill the sick
Charles Gaba tells me that that, for Robert F Kennedy Jr, “would make those who survive healthier on average, achieving his ‘maha’ goal.”
www.editorialboard.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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.
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.
June 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
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.
“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
June 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
“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
Reposted by Heather Braum
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.
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.
newhampshirebulletin.com
June 6, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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.
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.
June 5, 2025 at 8:24 PM
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.
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...
June 5, 2025 at 11:49 AM
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...
Reposted by Heather Braum
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)
May 22, 2025 at 2:52 AM
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)
Reposted by Heather Braum
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/...
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/...
May 21, 2025 at 1:45 AM
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/...
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/...
Reposted by Heather Braum
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/43hNrpn
Opinion | The pronatalist party escalates its war on children
The Republican Party’s Medicaid and SNAP cuts disproportionately hurt children and babies.
wapo.st
May 19, 2025 at 11:42 PM
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/43hNrpn
Reposted by Heather Braum
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...
www.cbo.gov/system/files...
May 21, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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...
www.cbo.gov/system/files...
Reposted by Heather Braum
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
“.. There are 13.7 million Americans on the other side of that screen. .. They deserve. To see. What is happening. Here.”
@aoc.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 11:45 PM
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
“.. There are 13.7 million Americans on the other side of that screen. .. They deserve. To see. What is happening. Here.”
@aoc.bsky.social
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?
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 .
media.tenor.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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?