Rep. Nicholas Langworthy claims the GOP budget “eliminates waste, fraud and abuse” while protecting programs like Medicaid. But the “historic savings” he touts come from cutting people off health coverage — mainly by adding paperwork barriers like “work requirements.”

Millions could lose Medicaid, even though most recipients already work. That’s a cut, no matter what you call it.

He indicates this budget will create jobs, but cuts to Medicaid mean fewer jobs — especially in hospitals and healthcare. Rural hospitals in Western New York depend heavily on Medicaid funding. Stripping away coverage will force them to reduce services or close, putting both health and local jobs at risk.

He praises 1990s welfare reform, but today’s GOP plan offers none of the childcare, transportation or job supports that made the Clinton administration policy work. Without those, so-called “work requirements” are just roadblocks to coverage.

He also spreads falsehoods about immigrants, claiming undocumented people “burden the system.” In reality, they aren’t eligible for federal Medicaid. In New York state, limited categories of immigrants receive state-funded care — at no federal cost. Suggesting otherwise is not just wrong — it’s divisive and dangerous.

Finally, while claiming this budget reduces the deficit and benefits the working and middle class, Langworthy ignores that its tax cuts mostly benefit the ultra-rich, while actually increasing taxes on the lowest earners. And far from shrinking the deficit, it adds so much debt that it triggers $550 million in automatic Medicare cuts in addition to the Medicaid losses.

Rep. Langworthy isn’t protecting essential programs or creating jobs — he’s undermining both.

Elizabeth Penman, Elmira