Congress plays politics with vital health care
Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Access to affordable health care is in grave danger. Congress has now passed a bill not only drastically cutting Medicaid funding but attempting to “defund” Planned Parenthood from the program.
Medicaid serves more than 71 million people nationwide, including more than 7 million in New York. It is a crucial program for our most vulnerable communities. Cuts to Medicaid and efforts to defund Planned Parenthood would make it much harder for our communities to get essential care they need, including birth control, cancer screenings, wellness exams and more. These lawmakers are willing to sacrifice the affordable health care of people across the country because of their opposition to abortion. They are playing politics with our health and rights — and we must stop them.
Without access to preventative and life-saving health care, we will see reduced productivity and increased absenteeism in the workforce, resulting in significant economic costs for everyone. From a public health perspective, we will see an increase in easily preventable illnesses, more expensive late-stage medical treatments, additional strain on an already overburdened system and ultimately a decline in quality of life for all.
This fight is about keeping doors to Planned Parenthood health centers open, and for everyone’s ability to get high-quality, affordable health care, no matter how much money they make or who they are. We must unite to defend Medicaid and Planned Parenthood to protect access to health care for all. Tell Congress: Don’t cut Medicaid, don’t cut Planned Parenthood. Lisa Kaul, board member, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund
Fear-mongering
Henderson, Nev.: Regarding President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill that passed in the House and Senate, I am very thankful that Congress and the American people did not fall for the scare tactics of the Democratic establishment. Look, I’ve heard that people could lose their health insurance to children going on starving diets. But if my memory serves me right, Trump’s decisive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities was supposed to end the world. Yet, here I am writing a letter to the Daily News. Go figure. David Tulanian
Not important
Milford, Pa.: During his campaign, Trump promised to eliminate taxes on Social Security. I see that this provision is gone from his “One Big Beautiful Bill.” What happened? I guess it was not worth fighting for. It figures. Robert K. Greco
Skin in the game
Forest Hills: I have a brilliant idea that I wish the Dems would have the courage to do. The legislation passed by a rogue and heartless GOP hurts veterans and their families. My proposal: If you signed this legislation, you have some skin in the game — you, your spouses and your kids are drafted. That means Eric Trump and you too, princess, and every representative who slapped the face of the military. No deferments if you can sit behind a desk; no bone-spur deferments. This is war against our military. This makes us weaker. So go for it, Dems, show how cowardly and foolish they are. These are not ordinary times. It’s not time to be subtle. Make Ken and Barbie do something. Sometimes, symbolism is all it takes. Shame on these horrible, insulting cowards. Draft them. Stew Frimer
Standing by it
Glendale: To Voicer Laurie Aron: I stated that Jan. 6 was a so-called insurrection since there were no weapons (guns, or similar) that I’m aware of that were confiscated from participants of the riot (my term for the event). If it was an insurrection, there would have been weapons, and lots of them. To overthrow the government without major force is ludicrous. Secondly, I condemn all acts of violence. Anyone who committed acts of violence that day or any other should be punished accordingly. I pointed out that Trump won in 2024. I personally refuse to call it a landslide victory since Trump won with slightly less than 50% of the popular vote, not even a majority. I rightly pointed out that before Trump took office on Inauguration Day in 2017, there were violent protests against him that undoubtedly qualify as a temper tantrum! Thomas Murawski
Unlawful enforcement
Smithfield, Pa.: ICE and Homeland Security are on the wrong side of the law when they interfere with the court system to try to have cases dismissed so they can pick off and deport the petitioner-immigrant. I hope that any lawyer involved in such behavior loses his or her license to practice law. And the chief MAGAt’s project of building “Alligator Alcatraz” is disgusting. That’s supposedly a center to detain immigrants pending the procedural steps to determine whether detainees are subject to deportation. So, many or most detainees are not actually criminals and have not been convicted of any crime. Why are they treated like dirt? Why are they threatened with being chased by alligators? Trump’s actions are very much like Hitler, based on Stephen Miller’s race-purity, white-supremacy views. Don’t sit quietly while our nation is degraded. Trump is demented, and Miller manipulates him shamefully. Mary Terry
Food off the table
Jamaica: To Voicer Michael L. Wilson: I want to state off the bat that I am in full agreement with your assessment of conditions on Eastern Long Island as it relates to the recent roundup of immigrant farm workers/laborers by ICE agents. In the past, I too have driven through this area in search of some nice, fresh produce to bring home. I imagine that with no workers to harvest the corn, strawberries, grapes, etc., these crops are left to rot in the fields. Because of this, we consumers pay higher prices for what little is left available. That man in the MAGA hat behind you is indeed part of the problem. He should be the last one complaining about selection/prices. As you so eloquently stated, “Look at your hat. There’s your answer.” Carlos R. Edwards
Childish attacks
Hammonton, N.J.: While all our presidents receive criticism and a fair amount of insults, the insults toward our current president from Voicers is just incredible. What is really amazing is I don’t know many juveniles who even read the paper, let alone write to it. It’s good to see so many children writing in. I guess social media killing off newspapers was premature, and I’m certainly excited since I still buy my newspapers every day. William Cook
Disagreement isn’t hate
Brooklyn: Re “Mamdani must disavow words of hate” (editorial, July 2): I am so sick of hearing Zionists toss around the word “hate.” No group hates with the same degree of venom as Zionists. They have hated Palestinians for more than 100 years, and any time Arabs fight back, the victims of Zionism are wrongfully branded as haters. Zionists insist on the primacy of their absurd opinions and deem themselves more important. I disagree. Gazans are more important. And slowly, people are coming to realize the folly of allowing Zionists to gain the upper hand. I voted for Zohran Mamdani and so did the majority of Democrats. That’s called democracy. So, he needn’t “disavow” anything. If any group has to fix its attitude, it is Zionists who approve of the genocide currently being committed in Gaza. Nick Smith
Pay gap
Plainview, L.I.: In a nation where the federal minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour, the NBA will now be paying MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander $24,000 a minute to play a game! What a country (and I don’t mean that in a good way)! Richard Siegelman
Unworthy of life
Clearwater, Fla.: Bryan Kohberger will no doubt be smirking all the way to his prison cell and then some (“Plea deal in murder of four University of Idaho students,” July 3). As a Ph.D. student in criminology, Kohberger knows more than your average criminal and murderer — yet, not enough to keep from getting caught. Then again, maybe he wanted to get caught. Nevertheless, Kohberger deserves nothing short of death for his premeditated, heinous crime. Instead, taxpayers will be burdened for his life in prison. At 28, he has many years ahead. The big winner in this case is Kohberger, who gets to keep his life while those he bludgeoned to death never had a chance. Not only does the outcome reek, it stinks to high heaven. JoAnn Lee Frank
