The crowd in attendance for Wednesday’s Rally to Defend Medicaid at the Warren Education Association in Sterling Heights gave the speakers in attendance a standing ovation for their efforts to prevent cuts to Medicaid.

Leading off was Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist who said the cuts could be deadly.

“This could mean more Michigan moms dying, kids in Michigan not being able to go to the dentist or veterans being failed by Trump’s VA not being able to get any medical coverage,” he said, in a news release. “We need all hands on deck to call out how dangerous these cuts are to working people.”

State Sen. Kevin Hertel, a St. Clair Shores Democrat, concurred.

“This program keeps millions of Michiganders healthy, from newborns and expecting mothers to seniors in nursing homes,” said Hertel, who has been an active advocate for Medicaid recipients. “If Washington Republicans continue balancing their budget on the backs of our most vulnerable, they can expect a fight.”

Republicans insist waste, fraud and abuse are targets.

Congressman John James, who is a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and has been asked about the cuts previously said, “Republicans will protect Medicaid for those who are in need of the program’s benefits.”

Dr. Christine Crader hopes that is true.

“We have to make it clear to our leaders like John James that the cuts to Medicaid they’ve been pushing mean some of our most vulnerable community members will have to do without access to adequate health care,” said Crader, who is a palliative medicine physician from St. Clair Shores. “I’ve cared for vulnerable patients like these throughout my career and have seen what a lifeline Medicaid can be for them. When I practiced internal medicine, I had patients who got their regular health care through Medicaid. They They were able to get routine care such as annual checkups, cancer screenings and more because of Medicaid. Now, in my work in hospice and palliative care I see how Medicaid ensures that low-income patients are able to get quality end-of-life care either in nursing homes or in their own homes. Taking away Medicaid from these patients would mean taking away care and dignity for senior citizens and patients nearing the end of their life in our community. Simply put, it would be shameful.”

Spencer Calhoun, a Mount Clemens city commissioner and former Medicaid recipient, said the program covered his medical bills and dentist visits.

“When I became homeless, they gave me stability to rebuild. Now, as a city commissioner, I see how these programs keep thousands of Macomb residents afloat. Families are worried about their health care disappearing,” said Calhoun.

Children are another demographic that could be impacted if certain Medicaid benefits were cut.

Speaking on their behalf was David Sanchez, who spoke not only as an advocate but as a father of a child with autism, who relies on Medicaid benefits to thrive.

“I was just a young father trying to understand why my 3-year-old son wasn’t speaking,” Sanchez told the crowd at the rally. “Benicio was bright and curious but silent. Eventually, through Michigan’s Medicaid expanded autism benefit, which covers essential care like speech and occupational therapy. Benicio got the support he needed. Today he is a talkative, charming preteen. He has a group of friends at school. He plays on a basketball team. He’s socially connected. But none of that would’ve been possible without accessible care through Medicaid. Everyone, get the phone number of your member of Congress. Tell them: Medicaid matters.”

The rally was hosted by the Committee to Protect Health Care, For Our Future Action Fund Michigan, SEIU Healthcare Michigan, and Michigan Families for Fair Care.