RACINE, Wis. — Former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O’Malley was invited to speak at a town hall meeting in Racine Thursday night, where many expressed concerns over cuts to key programs.
The event was hosted by Democratic advocacy groups, including Fair Share America, Opportunity Wisconsin, Main Street Alliance, Working Families Power, Family Friendly Wisconsin and Committee to Protect Health Care.
Among the large group of people who attended the town hall were Kevin Fech and his family.
Fech has sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in bone and connective tissues. His son, Tyler, has Down syndrome. Fech’s wife and Tyler’s mom, Angie, is their caregiver.
That’s why Fech said he is following things in Washington, D.C. closely, as congressional Republicans consider cuts to Medicaid in order to offset the cost of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts.
“It would be devastating,” said Fech. “It would be devastating,” said Fech. “Tyler would lose his health insurance. Angie and I are not quite to Medicare age. I have to work another five years for Angie to get to Medicare age. She would lose her health insurance. As a caregiver for Tyler, she’d lose her insurance.”
Other people in attendance shared their fears over cuts to SNAP benefits that help low-income families afford nutritious food, as well as potential changes to social security.
The Trump administration has implemented new identity verification requirements to receive social security benefits. It has also vowed to investigate alleged fraud and waste within the social security program.
Trump has said he’ll protect social security benefits for those who are eligible for them.
O’Malley, who was the social security administration commissioner under former President Joe Biden, addressed people’s fears at the town hall.
“There’s a lot of anxiety, and it’s well placed,” he said, stressing the importance of people getting involved and fighting for the programs and benefits they rely on. “Rise up and be heard by your congresspeople. People need to call their senators. Call the men and women who represent them in the House of Representatives.”
