“Support Our Veterans” Isn’t Just a Slogan: Why We Gathered at Mary Miller’s Office

By Quinn Bluffs

Local residents gathered outside the closed office of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller on Friday to protest proposed and ongoing cuts that threaten veterans’ access to healthcare, food assistance, and other critical services. The rally focused on protecting the VA, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP programs, resources many veterans rely on after their service ends.

The protest, organized by 50501 Quincy Illinois, was part of a broader push to raise awareness of what they say is a dangerous disconnect between political rhetoric and policy reality.

“We keep hearing that veterans will be taken care of,” one attendee said. “But what we’re seeing on the ground tells a very different story.”

Cuts Are Already Happening

Despite claims from some online commentators that no veterans are at risk, the Department of Veterans Affairs has confirmed plans to eliminate approximately 80,000 positions by the end of fiscal year 2025.[¹] While not every role is clinical, staffing reductions translate to longer wait times, overburdened providers, and fewer support personnel, all at a time when many VA facilities are still dealing with post-pandemic strain.

And it’s not just the VA under pressure. Medicaid and SNAP, both of which serve large numbers of veterans, are also facing threats in state and federal budget discussions. As of 2021, about 1.75 million veterans were enrolled in Medicaid nationwide,[²] and roughly 1.2 million veterans lived in households that relied on SNAP.[³] Any cuts to these programs—whether through eligibility restrictions, work requirements, or administrative changes—risk pushing veterans out of systems they depend on.

Even if veterans remain technically “eligible,” navigating shrinking programs with increased bureaucracy often results in dropped coverage or denial of benefits.

The Narrative Gap

Local coverage by Muddy River News highlighted the protest, but online responses accused organizers of “fearmongering”, arguing that no veterans would lose benefits. Yet that confidence overlooks how budget cuts and policy changes play out in real-world systems.

The belief that all veterans will remain untouched is, as one protester put it, “a comforting illusion, but not a realistic one.”

Not all veterans qualify for full VA healthcare. Many—especially those in rural areas, like much of downstate Illinois—rely on Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act to access routine and specialized care closer to home. Others receive partial benefits or none at all due to discharge status or bureaucratic limitations. And with food insecurity already affecting over 10% of veteran households,[⁴] SNAP benefits provide a crucial safety net.

Beyond Bumper Stickers

At its core, the protest wasn’t about partisanship. It was about accountability.

“We’re tired of hearing the words ‘support our troops’ used to shut down conversations instead of open them,” said one organizer. “This isn’t about being anti-anyone. It’s about making sure veterans don’t get left behind. Again.”

While Rep. Miller’s office was closed during the protest, organizers say they plan to follow up with formal letters and requests for public clarification on her stance toward these proposed cuts and the future of veterans’ support systems in Illinois.

Looking Ahead

For many in attendance, this protest was just the beginning. As budget debates continue, activists say they’ll keep pressing for transparency, accountability, and protections, not just for veterans, but for everyone who depends on public programs to survive.

“It shouldn’t take a protest to remind elected officials that promises come with responsibilities,” one protester said. “But if that’s what it takes, we’ll be here.”

Citations:

[1] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, FY 2025 Budget in Brief.[2] Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), Veterans and Medicaid (2021).[3] Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP Helps Millions of Veterans (2021).[4] U.S. Department of Agriculture, Household Food Security in the United States in 2022: Veterans Supplement.