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Bush Budget Cuts Domestic Programs

The proposed FY 2009 budget released by President Bush on Monday includes broad cuts from many vital domestic programs, including health care, nutrition and energy assistance for low-income families, violence against women programs, and social services for low-income families.

While millions of Americans lack health insurance, the President’s budget slashes health care programs. Bush proposes cutting almost $178 billion from Medicare and $17 billion from Medicaid programs over the next 5 years. Under the Bush budget, Medicaid Family Planning Services would lose $570 million in funding in one year alone, according to the National Women’s Law Center.

“The President is proposing to once again slash health care coverage for seniors and low-income working Americans. The President’s cuts are exactly the wrong medicine when the cost of health care and the number of uninsured continue to rise and families are feeling economically insecure,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in the Washington Post.

Under Bush’s proposed budget, Department of Justice programs aimed at combating violence against women would face cuts up to $100 million, over 25%. According to the Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) said Bush’s proposed budget will be “dead on arrival” in Congress.

Sources:

Daily Women�s Health Policy Report 2/4/08; Feminist Daily Newswire; Washington Post 2/1/08; National Women�s Law Center Press Release 2/4/08

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