Despite pledging to oppose Medicaid reductions, Republican Juan Ciscomani supported cuts that will cost hospitals in southern Arizona $110 million a year.

The representative from Tucson redirected his vote and came in favor of a significant cut to the joint federal government and every state that provides health insurance coverage to individuals and families with limited income and resources.

Surprisingly, the 43-year-old politician broke ranks with the 17 conservatives who joined Democrats to pass the bill in the House of Representatives and ultimately chose not to sign the extension of subsidies intended to support vulnerable people.

On Wednesday, Ciscomani voted against bringing the three-year extension proposal to a vote on the House floor, and less than 24 hours later, he came out against the bill.

“I have been clear: my support for a temporary extension MUST be accompanied by sensible reforms. Combating the fraud and abuse that are part of the program is not an option, but an obligation.

The three-year extension proposed by the Democratic leader does not benefit families facing rising health care costs at all; in an interview with The Arizona Republic.

This way, Arizona will receive the sixth lowest amount from the new rural hospital fund, $167 million for the 2026 federal fiscal year.

In fact, only New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Massachusetts will get less money than the southern state.

Between Medicaid cuts and rising market costs, Arizona is preparing for an increase in its uninsured population, which will put even more pressure on rural hospitals.

In response, Lindsay Reilly, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC),issued a statement criticizing Ciscomani for his cowardice in voting.

“Juan Ciscomani is showing Arizona that he is ineffective, a mess, or both. Arizonans deserve a leader in Washington who will fight for them, not a coward who dismantles their healthcare to fund tax cuts for billionaires,” she stated.