In a recent town hall meeting held in Parkersburg, Iowa, Republican Senator Joni Ernst faced a mixture of disapproval and skepticism from attendees following her unexpected remark about mortality amidst discussions on proposed Medicaid eligibility changes. Acknowledging the contentious atmosphere, Ernst maintained her stance, supporting a tax and immigration plan currently under Senate review after being passed by the House.
During the session, many attendees raised concerns about significant reductions in Medicaid spending, amounting to $700 billion. Ernst emphasized that these cuts were designed to discourage unauthorized immigrants and people with employer-provided insurance from accessing the program. However, when an individual in the audience pointed out that the lack of coverage could result in fatalities, Ernst responded with the controversial comment, “People are not … well, we all are going to die,” prompting audible groans from the crowd. She added, “For heaven’s sakes, folks,” attempting to shift focus back to her reassurance that the most vulnerable and those meeting Medicaid eligibility would remain protected.
The House recently passed a substantial spending and tax cut package, often highlighted by President Donald Trump as “the big, beautiful bill,” by a narrow margin. This bill is now in the Senate, where Ernst indicated it would undergo revisions to distinguish it from its original House version.
Republican proponents justify the imposition of new work requirements for nondisabled adults without dependents and rigorous eligibility checks, asserting that such measures would secure resources for individuals in critical need. Conversely, Democrats caution that these changes could result in millions of Americans losing their healthcare coverage. A preliminary analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects a decrease in healthcare access for 8.6 million people over the next ten years due to these proposals.
The video capturing Ernst’s remark quickly gained traction among Democratic figures and political candidates, fueling further debate on the initiated changes. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, criticized Ernst’s statement, suggesting it revealed a broader Republican disregard for the lives of constituents in contrast to the financial gains of the wealthy elite. With Ernst’s re-election on the horizon in 2026, her comments have sparked a renewed scrutiny of her political standing and legislative priorities.