Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) traveled to Northern Arizona last week for a series of town halls that put a spotlight on the anxieties of Arizonans, addressing issues such as the looming cuts to Medicaid, the impact of the current trade war on local businesses, and the accessibility of services for veterans, activities published on his official website showed.
During his stop at the Yavapai Apache Nation, Gallego held what marked his third Save Medicaid town hall in the state. Gallego's visit was significant as he directly heard from those who had been battling on the front lines of the healthcare debates, where cuts, by Republican efforts, could seriously threaten the well-being of families throughout the region. He absorbed the stories and concerns of individuals who stand to lose much if Medicaid support wanes.
The Senator then met with small business owners at a coffee shop in Flagstaff, discussing the increases in costs they're grappling with as a result of the ongoing trade war once fueled by President Trump's policies. Gallego said, "The manufacturing that can come back to United States has to be done in a thoughtful manner through real policy," a sentiment expressed amid conversations with those whose livelihoods are at stake.
Gallego also made time for veterans in Flagstaff, where he hosted a veterans town hall. This group in particular has been left to navigate the failures of a system supposed to protect them but instead finds itself hobbled by layoffs and policy changes, changes which the Senator criticized by channelling the fears and frustrations of his constituents. He highlighted the pain of the inevitable in healthcare, stating, "It’s going to be harder to go to a doctor. It’s going to be harder to find a specialist. You’re going to have increased wait times. Wait times mean people’s health is going to deteriorate," a stark warning against dismissive cuts to services veterans have earned.
