Rev. Greg Lewis during a rally organized by Souls to the Polls to keep people informed about President Trump's policies, which he believes will affect Milwaukee negatively.
* A "Souls to the Polls" rally in Milwaukee brought together community leaders to oppose federal policy changes.
* Speakers at the event raised concerns about healthcare, housing, and food deserts impacting Milwaukee residents.
* Changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act were a primary focus of the rally.
* Organizers noted a lack of young people at the event and discussed ways to better engage them in political issues.
It was a pep rally, but for something bigger and much more important than a sporting event.
The fact that I was the only member of the media present for a press conference held before the Sept. 27 rally didn't lessen its significance.
The "Souls to the Polls" event brought together churches, nonprofits, and community leaders to unite and form a movement in opposition to changes being implemented under the Trump Administration, particularly around health care, which will have devastating impact on places like Milwaukee where more people rely on Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
The event's leader, Rev. Greg Lewis, called it "the biggest fight of our lives.' When I asked Lewis what sets this movement apart from others, he replied, "The cavalry is not coming to save us; we are the cavalry. We must save ourselves."
As a lifelong Milwaukee resident, I have witnessed groups work together effectively and achieve numerous positive outcomes. And right now, we need that unity more than ever because people are going to be hit hard.
"The Bible speaks about this," said Pastor Walter Lanier in his opening remarks. "It says the enemy is like a roaring lion, roaming to and fro, seeking whom he may devour. That is the nature of evil and greed. We cannot sit idly by while our enemies are scheming and plotting."
As Lanier began to preach, some of the more than 270 attendees shouted "Amen."
Federal changes will hit Milwaukee hard, especially health care
Several common themes were highlighted by different speakers, including the need for safe and affordable housing, food deserts in disadvantaged Black and Brown neighborhoods, and deportations. Yet health care was easily the topic most discussed because of the immedicacy of the impact.
Stephanie Sue Stein, who has advocated for older adults for over 40 years, said the Big Beautiful Bill Act will have devastating consequences for individuals on Medicaid and Medicare.
"No matter how we receive our care, our health care will be less affordable, if we can access it at all," Stein said.
Stein acknowledged that our current health care system isn't perfect; many people experience long wait times, hospitals are closing, and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise. However, despite these issues, the system still works for many people in this country.
She pointed out that former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden made significant strides in healthcare. Obama's Affordable Care Act helped millions obtain insurance, while Biden gave Medicare the right to negotiate prescription drug prices, allowing them to keep more of their money.
In contrast, Trump's bill will cause 15 million people to lose all access to health care. Remember when Trump said he wouldn't touch Medicare on the campaing trail in 2024? According to Stein, those with Part B premiums will see an 11.7% increase starting January 1, while Social Security benefits will only increase by 2.7%.
But the worst part, Stein warned, is that the budget bill signed into law on July 4, still won't balance the budget; instead, it will automatically cause a $536 billion cut to Medicare. This will force people to return to emergency rooms, grow sicker without proper care, and need more intense treatment, all paid for by the insurance of fortunate folks who still have jobs.
Health insurance affordability is one of the factors driving the federal government shutdown. Tax credits for people insured under the Affordable Care Act expire at the end of the year. Democrats won't support a federal budget that doesn't extend the credits.
In an interview on NBC, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted that the enrollment period starts on November 1, and notices have already been sent out indicating that premiums, co-pays, and deductibles for tens of thousands of people will increase dramatically.
For instance, Jeffries mentioned that a couple earning $88,000 a year, who currently receivetax credits, pays about $8,000 annually for insurance. This amount will triple to $24,000, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Young people must be included in the fight
While the rally was informative and the crowd erupted into chants of "Stand up and fight back," there was a noticeable absence of young people. The average age of the attendees was about 50 years old.
Before the event concluded, one of the youngest participants, Cartier Lewis, 21, who is the grandson of Lewis,noted that many young people don't fully engage in political issues until they see a direct impact on their lives.
Cartier explained that most young people feel their votes don't count and that their voices don't matter until they are personally affected by issues impacting their grandparents, parents, or themselves. He encouraged the older generation to go beyond simply instructing young people to "go vote," as that message often falls flat.
"We need our elders and pastors to connect the dots for us," Cartier said. "Instead of just saying voting matters, explain how every ballot is tied to our survival. For example, tell us, 'This policy is why your cousin lost his healthcare. This election is why your school lost funding. This ballot is why your job doesn't come with benefits.'"
He further expressed that young people often feel disconnected from voting due to the trauma and crises they have experienced, from mass shootings to witnessing their parents struggle to make ends meet. "Many of us are exhausted before we even get started, but don't give up on us," he urged.
Cartier Lewis makes a valid point: while voting is crucial for shaping the present and future, it is essential to involve young people in this vital struggle. Their participation is key; without it, both the fight for change and their future become significantly more challenging.
Many people tell me they are sick of politics. I get that, but don't get sick for real. The Big Beautiful Bill Act means you may lose or simply can no longer afford health coverage.