Senator Markey joined by health care providers, advocates at Upham’s Corner Health Center

Watch: Senator Markey, attendees discuss what GOP cuts mean for Mass. residents

Boston (October 10, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today hosted a press conference at the Upham’s Corner Health Center in Dorchester to highlight the impacts of the MAGA Republican forced federal government shutdown on people’s access to health care in Massachusetts. Senator Markey was joined by Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector; Jay Trivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Upham’s Corner Health Center; and Margaret Leahy Wirth, Upham’s Corner Health Center patient and Board Chairperson.

“Republicans are shutting down the government to cut Americans’ health care—putting Massachusetts children and families in jeopardy,” said Senator Markey. “In fact, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans have been shutting down our government since Day 1. We are witnessing a Robin Hood in reverse as Republicans make deep health care cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and steal from those most in need—all to pay for tax cuts for CEO billionaires. This is unacceptable. Democrats will not be an accomplice to the greatest health care heist in American history. The people of Massachusetts have my word: I will not stop fighting for them and their health care. There is simply too much at stake.”

The press conference comes on day ten of Republicans’ health care shutdown. Earlier this year, Republicans passed legislation to strip 326,000 Massachusetts residents—almost 5% of the state’s population—of Medicaid coverage. Republicans are also currently blocking Democrats’ efforts to continue to make insurance plans through the Massachusetts Health Connector affordable for working families. If Republicans fail to support an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits, 337,000 Massachusetts residents will pay an average of over $1,300 more each year for plans through the Health Connector. These attacks on health follow the Trump administration’s cuts of hundreds of grants to Massachusetts institutions for critical medical research earlier this year.

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