IL U.S. Rep. LaHood reacts to protesters' Medicaid concerns
[April 26, 2025]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Dozens of people gathered and marched to Illinois
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's office in Normal to protest what he described
as Congress' responsibility to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in
federal spending.
On social media, McLean County board member and Normal Township
Supervisor Krystle Able expressed gratitude for the turnout of
disability advocates, homecare workers, labor groups, seniors and
retirees who gathered to demand no cuts to Medicaid.
“We are with disability advocates, ADAPT Chicago, Life Center for
Independent Living, and Bloomington-Normal community members who are
advocating for no cuts to Medicaid. We are gathering in the plaza right
outside the Amtrak station right now,” Able said in a livestream video
encouraging followers to join the protest. “Soon, we will be moving over
to Rep. LaHood's office, right diagonal from us here, where his entire
staff has exited the building and left for the day.”
Able said when the protestors started to arrive, LaHood’s staff closed
up and left.
“We will not be meeting with Congressman LaHood or anyone from his
staff, as we suspected, but we will still be making our voices heard,”
said Able. “So please come down to Uptown Normal, join your fellow
community members and disability rights organizations to fight for no
cuts to Medicaid and no tax breaks for billionaires.”
Able is the executive director of the Illinois Alliance for Retired
Americans. According to 2023 tax filings, the nonprofit spent $131,000
and generated $65,677 in revenue.
LaHood’s office confirmed the advocates made no attempts to schedule a
meeting and that LaHood was in the northern part of his 21-county
district, where he met with constituents, toured local businesses, and
hosted an open house for prospective students and parents interested in
attending the nation's service academies.
“I am committed to focusing on the issues that matter to my
constituents,” said LaHood. “I will continue to provide high-quality
constituent services, support local businesses, meet with constituents
across Illinois' 16th Congressional District, and represent their
interests in Washington, D.C.”
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Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, during a recent committee
hearing - The Select Committee on the CCP | YouTube
Photos circulating on social media show LaHood’s face on milk
cartons and posters reading. “Where’s LaHood?”
In a statement, LaHood emphasized the importance of addressing the
nation’s $36 trillion debt. He argued that to ensure the long-term
sustainability of programs like Medicaid, spending must be
prioritized and focused on delivering high-quality care to those who
need it most.
“In Congress, we are working to address waste, fraud, and abuse in
the program, increase transparency, support rural and underserved
communities, and prioritize care for our nation’s most vulnerable,”
said LaHood.
In February, President Donald Trump said he will not cut Social
Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
"I've said it so many times that you shouldn't even be asking me
that question,” said Trump. “We're not going to touch it [Medicare,
Medicaid, and Social Security]. Now, we are going to look for
fraud."
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, taxpayers
lose about $521 billion annually to fraud, and most of that is
within entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Elon
Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency,
addressed waste and fraud in a March interview with Fox Business’
Larry Kudlow.
“The waste and fraud in entitlement spending, which is most of the
federal spending is entitlements, so, that’s, like, the big one to
eliminate. That’s the, sort of half-trillion, maybe $6-700 billion a
year.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated it made
over $140 billion in improper payments in 2024 alone.
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