Expressing Disapproval of the Trump Administration's Harmful Actions Towards Medicaid
Floor Speech
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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the Trump administration's cuts to Medicaid as yet another broken promise from this President.
On May 7, 2015, then-candidate Trump tweeted: ``I was the first and only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.'' He even said that these programs were a part of what makes America great.
The President was right. Medicaid is a pillar of our society. Mr. Speaker, 3.26 million people in my home State of Illinois receive their healthcare through Medicaid. Since Illinois expanded Medicaid in 2013, our uninsured rate has been cut nearly in half. One study found that expanded Medicaid coverage reduced mortality in Illinois by 6 percent.
Mr. Speaker, 40 percent of kids in my State can see a doctor when they are sick and get vaccinations and screenings that they need only because of Medicaid, and over 275,000 Illinois seniors and almost 400,000 people with disabilities rely on Medicaid. In fact, Medicaid pays for over half of all long-term services and supports across the United States.
Despite all this, the administration is gutting Medicaid funding and allowing States to cut benefits.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voicing our opposition to the Trump administration by voting ``yes'' on this resolution. Medicaid matters, and we will protect your care.
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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn the Trump Administration's cuts to Medicaid as yet another broken promise from this President.
On May 7, 2015, then-Candidate Trump tweeted: ``I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid.''
He even said that these programs were a part of what makes America great.
Well, Mr. President--you were right: Medicaid is a pillar of our society.
3.26 million people in my home state of Illinois receive their health care through Medicaid.
Since Illinois expanded Medicaid in 2013, our uninsured rate has been nearly cut in half.
One study found that expanding Medicaid coverage reduced mortality by 6 percent.
40 percent of kids in my state can see a doctor when they are sick and get the vaccinations and screenings they need to stay healthy only because of Medicaid.
Over 275,000 of Illinois' seniors and almost 400,000 people with disabilities rely on Medicaid to live independently, including nursing home care and services that help them live at home.
In fact, Medicaid pays for over half of all longterm services and supports a cross the United States.
Despite all this, the Administration is gutting Medicaid funding and allowing states to cut benefits that people need to survive.
Why?
Maybe because they need to pay for the GOP Tax Scam, which created a $1.5 trillion deficit in tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
And because they want to continue their legacy of punishing low- income people and the most vulnerable among us.
Medicaid is critical to the health and financial security of people across the United States.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting YES on this resolution so that we can send a clear message: Medicaid matters, and we will Protect Your Care.
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