Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst posts sarcastic apology video over comment on Medicaid cuts

Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst on Saturday posted a sarcastic apology video in response to backlash following a viral moment during a town hall Friday, where she dismissively told an audience member concerned about cuts to Medicaid, “Well, we all are going to die.”

In the video posted on her Instagram story in response to a heated exchange at a town hall event in Parkersburg, Ernst speaks directly to camera while apparently walking through a cemetery with what appear to be gravestones behind her on the grass.

"Hello everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for a statement that I made yesterday at my town hall," she begins, before describing the incident.

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In the video, which has since been widely circulated on X, Ernst says: "I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth," she said. "So I apologize. And I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.

"But for those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my lord and savior, Jesus Christ," she added.

Ernst faced intense questioning from constituents during the Friday town hall, eliciting shouts and boos from community members over her support for President Donald Trump's contentious tax policy bill that includes reductions to public health insurance and food assistance program spending through Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

While Ernst was responding to a question about changes to Medicaid eligibility in Trump’s tax package that the Senate is poised to consider, Ernst was interrupted by a member of the audience who shouted “people will die.” Ernst replied by saying, "People are not — well, we all are going to die. For heaven’s sakes, folks."

Her answer was met with jeering from the crowd. The comment went viral on social media and drew national attention and widespread condemnation from Democrats who have criticized the impact the potential cuts will have on Iowa’s and the nation’s health care landscape.

Ernst quickly followed up, adding that Medicaid spending will focus on the most vulnerable who meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

“We will protect them, Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa,” Ernst said. “If you don't want to listen, that's fine, but what I'm doing is going through and telling you that those that are not eligible, those that are working and have opportunity for benefits elsewhere, then they should receive those benefits elsewhere, and leave those dollars for those that are eligible."

At an event in Cedar Rapids Friday afternoon, Ernst called the response to her comment “hysteria.”

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“We know two things are true: death and taxes. And what I'm trying to do is make sure that we are extending tax benefits for hardworking Iowans and that we are preserving Medicaid for those that meet eligibility requirements," Ernst told reporters. "We don't need to see illegal immigrants receiving benefits that should be going to Iowans.”

A provision of the GOP-backed federal budget includes a $625 billion cut to Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some with limited income and resources.

These changes include imposing Medicaid work requirements on benefit recipients, meaning able-bodied adults aged 19-64 without dependents would need to work, volunteer or attend school for at least 80 hours a month in order to maintain coverage. Democrats argue this will lead to many people losing their Medicaid coverage.

The current bill is expected to decrease Medicaid enrollment by 10.3 million, according to estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. That number includes 58,084 Medicaid recipients in Iowa, according to the CBO.

Lee Des Moines Bureau Chief Maya Marchel Hoff contributed to this report.

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