The event, held at a local high school, saw heated exchanges as Ernst defended a tax and immigration bill recently approved by the House and under Senate review.

During the discussion, some attendees expressed strong concerns over proposed $700 billion cuts to Medicaid, fearing the reductions would leave many without essential healthcare coverage. Ernst argued the cuts were necessary to prevent individuals in the U.S. illegally and those with employer-provided insurance from exploiting the system.

The atmosphere grew more charged when someone in the crowd suggested that the cuts would result in deaths. Ernst responded by saying, "People are not... well, we all are going to die," which was met with groans from the audience. She continued, "For heaven's sakes. For heaven's sakes, folks," attempting to bring the focus back to the most vulnerable beneficiaries of Medicaid.

Ernst emphasized that any Senate version of the bill would differ from the House's, suggesting room for adjustments. She defended the new work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents and stricter eligibility verification as measures to generate savings while ensuring the program's sustainability for those most in need. However, Democrats have warned these changes could leave millions without coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office provided a preliminary estimate that the proposed changes would reduce the number of insured individuals by 8.6 million over the next decade. Following the town hall, a video clip of Ernst's remark quickly circulated among Democratic officials and candidates. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, criticized Ernst, stating that her comments revealed a lack of concern for constituent well-being in favor of enriching the wealthy.

Ernst, who will be seeking reelection in 2026, now faces heightened scrutiny and criticism as the debate over Medicaid and healthcare coverage continues to polarize.