ICYMI: In Sierra Vista, Kelly Hosts Town Hall on Medicaid and Food Assistance Cuts
During his visit to Cochise County, Senator Kelly also met with service members at Fort Huachuca and Sierra Vista business leaders and first responders
In case you missed it, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly spent the day in Cochise County yesterday where he hosted a town hall at Chiricahua Community Health Centers to discuss the Trump and Republican-led efforts to cut Medicaid (AHCCCS in Arizona) and food assistance in order to give tax cuts to the wealthy. He also met with service members at Fort Huachuca, local business owners, elected leaders, and first responders to discuss their needs and how he can continue delivering results for Southern Arizona.
During the town hall at Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Kelly heard from patients, health care providers, and local residents. Cochise County resident Tara shared that she was once a single mother and programs like Medicaid and SNAP helped her raise her children and build a future. She now works as a case manager at a behavioral health agency and said, “I’m deeply concerned about the proposed cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and related programs. I know firsthand that they don’t just help families—they’re often the only path to stability.”
Kelly also heard from Stephanie, an employee at the Huachuca City Library, which partners with the Tucson food bank to offer after-school and summer snacks for low-income children. “We only just started our summer kit program on Tuesday, and already we’ve seen more people coming in—because they can’t afford snacks for their kids,” she said. “I see these children every day. For many of them, school meals are the only good food they get.”
Earlier in the day at Fort Huachuca, Kelly met with service members and Army leadership to highlight the base’s critical role in our national security. He discussed his concerns with proposed staffing cuts at the Electronic Proving Ground and Army Test & Evaluation Command.
Kelly also met with local business leaders and elected officials with Sky Islands Regional Partnership to provide an update and hear about local priorities. There, Kelly shared his work in Washington to protect Arizona’s economy and health care system and highlighted the serious consequences of the proposed Medicaid cuts under the Trump administration’s budget plan.
To end the day, Kelly stopped by a Fry Fire District station to thank local firefighters for their service, deliver coffee, and hear more about the challenges they face—from wildfire preparedness to equipment and staffing needs. Kelly previously secured federal funding for the district to purchase new cardiac monitors, which are now being used by firefighters in the field.
At each stop, Kelly reaffirmed his commitment to standing up for Arizonans—whether by protecting critical missions at Fort Huachuca, defending access to health care and food assistance, or supporting the local leaders and first responders who serve their communities every day.
