Van Orden's record shows he's not helping working people

District 3 U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden voted for the 2025 tax bill, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, that slashed nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid funding. Not only does it slash Medicaid healthcare for low-income pregnant women, children, adults and elderly adults, and people with disabilities, but it also diverts that money to tax breaks for the rich and big corporations. Its big ugly trick is that most cuts won't go into effect until 2027. Already 13,000 people in Wisconsin have been pushed off Medicaid. Van Orden dismisses them as 'waste, fraud or abuse,' but he's abusing his constituents. Many of us hard-working people may face — or are already facing — serious health challenges. We deserve reliable health coverage. New work requirements will push even more people off Medicaid; people who need this healthcare. Barriers like requiring detailed paperwork every six months make Medicaid impossible for many to manage, so they just give up. States that have tried these requirements see administrative costs soar and see Americans lose the healthcare they need. It's horrifying to think of cancer patients being forced to work or risk losing Medicaid. Working during treatment could make it harder to fight cancer. Or cancer patients could find it impossible to work due to their treatment and side effects. If they are not physically able to work, would losing Medicaid mean they could lose their job, their home, their life? How would they be able to receive treatment with no income and no medical insurance? Van Orden's vote shows his hostility toward the working people of our district. He hasn't the moral courage to face his constituents in public forums. Vote Van Orden out. William Laine, MenomonieGet opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!