As a retired asthma and allergy physician and a new grandmother, I am extremely concerned about a bill being considered in Congress that would devastate the Medicaid program and significantly cut programs that clean our air.

I spent my career caring for people who depend on treatments and medications as well as clean air to ensure that they can stay healthy enough to go to work, go to family events and live a fulfilling life. Preventive care and clean air are essential to keeping kids with asthma out of the hospital.

All of the Medicaid policies that Congress is considering — including adding work reporting requirements and gutting Medicaid expansion — are cuts that will terminate health care coverage when people need it most. And cuts to clean air programs will worsen air quality, aggravating asthma attacks in kids.

Thankfully, Rep. Chellie Pingree opposed these cuts and voted “No.” Now I call on the community to join me to pick up the phone and call Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and demand they protect Medicaid and clean air programs.

Peggy Pennoyer
Scarborough