WASHINGTON, D.C. — Connecticut’s congressional delegation says the Senate‑passed Republican budget would hit Farmington as hard as any place: higher premiums here, fewer hospital beds there, and a frayed Social Security safety net everywhere. 😷
“I’m angry — in fact, furious,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal declared after Tuesday’s 51‑49 vote. He called the bill a “Big Blatant Betrayal” that “kicks millions off their health insurance” while handing “billions in tax breaks for the rich.” Blumenthal statement
His colleague Sen. Chris Murphy took to Meet the Press to brand the package “a moral abomination” that “transfers wealth from poor and middle‑class families to billionaires.” Murphy TV release
What the Numbers Say
The Congressional Budget Office projects as many as 17 million Americans could lose coverage next year. Medicaid’s share of Farmington’s annual hospital reimbursements — roughly $7.2 million — would shrink, according to the Connecticut Hospital Association. Local administrators warn of longer ER waits and delayed elective surgeries.
A $1.5 Billion Plane and a Pricetag at Home
Blumenthal tried to bar national‑security funds from outfitting a $200 million Qatari‑gifted Boeing 747‑8 for future presidential use — a retrofit he estimated at $1.5 billion. Every Republican senator voted no. Blumenthal amendment
“Illegal, exorbitantly costly, dangerous to national defense,” he said, arguing that money should modernize submarines instead of polishing “Trump’s luxury jet.”
Larson Tries to Lock the Safe
Closer to home, Rep. John B. Larson zeroed in on Social Security. The latest Trustees Report moved projected trust‑fund depletion to 2034, one year sooner than last year. Larson renewed his push for the Social Security 2100 Act to bolster benefits and raise the payroll‑tax cap. Larson Trustees statement
He also grilled Commissioner Frank Bisignano in a June 25 hearing over alleged “DOGE” meddling — Trump‑era manipulations of SSA data that, Larson said, could jeopardize monthly checks for 52,000 Farmington‑area retirees. Larson hearing opening
The Local Stakes
Health‑care analysts at UConn forecast that roughly 3,800 Farmington residents — one in eight — would lose coverage if Medicaid eligibility tightens as projected. Independent pharmacies along Farmington Avenue fear prescription reimbursements could drop 12 percent.
Meanwhile, seniors on fixed incomes face dual anxieties: higher Part B premiums and fresh questions about Social Security’s long‑term math. “It’s whiplash,” said Gloria Mitchell, 72, at the Farmington Senior Center. “We paid in; now we’re on the chopping block.”
What Comes Next
House leaders say they will not simply rubber‑stamp the Senate budget. Larson expects “surgical changes” to restore health‑care funding and cement Social Security protections. But time is short: the new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.
Farmington’s delegation urges constituents to keep the pressure on. Murphy wrote on X: “One GOP senator could still stop this abomination.” Murphy July 1 post
Thanks (and a Wink) to Our Sponsor 😎
Need a secure place for Grandma’s cedar chest or those “temporary” holiday decorations? Farmington Storage at 155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT (call 860‑777‑4001) promises climate‑controlled units, 24/7 security, and free counseling for packrats. Tell them the Mercury sent you; they’ll charge you anyway, but we’ll all feel better.
About the Author
Jack Beckett drinks his coffee strong enough to melt a spoon and writes about Farmington with equal intensity. When not quoting senators, he’s scouting the next caffeine fix. ☕️
Explore more: You’ll find zoning deep‑dives, board‑of‑ed drama, and the occasional llama sighting at WeAreFarmington. Subscribe to never miss a twist, tweet us on Twix, or drop a tip via Contact Us. Your clicks keep the stories (and the coffee) flowing!
About the Mercury • Contact Us • Privacy • Terms of Service • Media Kit
Creative Commons License
© 2025 The Farmington Mercury / Mercury Local
This article, “Blumenthal, Murphy, Larson Warn Farmington of GOP Budget’s Health‑Care Cuts & Social‑Security Risk,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY‑ND 4.0.
“Blumenthal, Murphy, Larson Warn Farmington of GOP Budget’s Health‑Care Cuts & Social‑Security Risk”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY‑ND 4.0)
