The Voice News: In a tense and emotionally charged town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, Republican Senator Joni Ernst ignited controversy with a blunt and unsettling remark while addressing concerns over proposed cuts to Medicaid.
During the Friday evening forum, Ernst was repeatedly challenged by constituents worried about the implications of a sweeping $700 billion federal tax and immigration package currently moving through Congress. As the senator defended the legislation—which includes deep cuts to Medicaid and tighter eligibility rules—a frustrated attendee warned that such changes would lead to unnecessary deaths.
Ernst’s response stunned the crowd:
“People are not… well, we all are going to die,” she said. “So, for heaven’s sakes. For heaven’s sakes, folks.”
The crowd responded with groans and boos, some visibly angered by what they saw as an indifferent dismissal of genuine fears.
Defending Cuts Amid Rising Public Anxiety
Throughout the forum, Senator Ernst maintained a consistent defense of the Republican-led tax and immigration bill, dubbed by President Donald Trump as the “big, beautiful bill.” The legislation narrowly passed the House last week and is now under Senate scrutiny. It includes substantial Medicaid reforms, including new work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and stricter income verification measures—steps Republicans argue will curb fraud and ensure that only the most vulnerable populations receive aid.
“We are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,” Ernst added. “Those that meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid, we will protect.”
But many constituents weren’t reassured. Concerns centered on whether people with low incomes, chronic illnesses, or disabilities would fall through the cracks under the new rules. Democrats and health policy experts have warned that millions could lose coverage.
Indeed, a preliminary analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the proposed changes would strip 8.6 million Americans of health care access over the next decade.
Political Fallout and 2026 Re-election Loom
The video of Ernst’s “we all are going to die” remark quickly circulated across social media, drawing harsh criticism from Democrats. Ken Martin, Chair of the Democratic National Committee, condemned the senator’s comments in a statement Saturday morning.
“This morning, Joni Ernst said the quiet part out loud,” Martin wrote. “Republicans don’t care whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few keep getting richer.”
Ernst, who is up for reelection in 2026, now faces mounting pressure not only from Democrats but also from constituents who view the Medicaid cuts as a direct threat to public health—particularly in rural states like Iowa, where access to healthcare is already limited.
Republicans Defend the Bill, Democrats Sound the Alarm
Republicans argue the bill’s spending cuts are necessary to rein in the national debt and redirect resources more efficiently. The bill also aims to prevent undocumented immigrants and people with employer-sponsored health plans from enrolling in Medicaid.
Democrats, however, see it as part of a broader dismantling of the nation’s social safety net. They warn that elderly Americans, people with disabilities, and low-income families stand to lose the most.
In a related interview, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed concern over how such changes could disproportionately affect disaster recovery and long-term care in his state. Experts have also highlighted how Medicaid cuts could severely undermine nursing homes and long-term support services.