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Floor Speech

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Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, if you go back exactly 20 years ago today, I could tell you exactly where I was. I was a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

I was staring at the beige-colored walls. And amidst the pain in every inch of my body, I was trying to muster the strength to sit up or to take a step or even just to breathe. I spent months and months and months in that hospital room, hooked up to machines, getting wheeled in and out of surgeries, learning how to live again in my new post-shoot- down world.

But despite it all, looking back, I consider every one of those days in that hospital room lucky days because, when the worst happened to me--when that RPG exploded in my lap in Iraq and I needed serious, sustained medical attention to survive the hour, the day, the year, I had healthcare I could rely on.

The same cannot be said for countless of Americans--Americans whose health costs have already been too high and whose access to care is at even greater danger if this Chamber is foolish enough to confirm Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as our next Secretary of HHS. Put simply, Mr. Kennedy cannot be trusted with the grave, grave responsibility that comes with this job. He cannot be trusted with our lives. He is focused on pushing his agenda, regardless of the cost to middle-class Americans. And if this man is confirmed, more Americans will die preventable deaths because of his policies.

Next month will mark the 5-year anniversary of when COVID shut down our Nation. In this moment, it is dangerous, reckless, and heartless to everyone who lost a loved one in the pandemic to even consider nominating a guy who has stated that ``no vaccine is safe and effective.''

And if our Health and Human Services Secretary refuses to ensure children are protected against ``preventable yet deadly'' diseases like measles, RSV, whooping cough, or polio, it will be our kids, not Mr. Kennedy, who pay the price.

I have gotten letter after letter from my constituents, begging me to try to reason with my colleagues, to do whatever I can to prevent a man so ignorant of all things science and medicine from holding a position of such power over our children's next breath.

One pediatrician in Illinois wrote to me:

I will always remember the 9-month-old infant with whooping cough who could not be saved despite every high-tech ventilator and medication we had available.

Another said:

I recall a father screaming and punching a hole in the wall when his 4-year-old son died of chicken pox.

The stories, the letters of avoidable tragedies go on and on. Imagine how much worse the heartbreak will become under a guy who acts like the term ``vaccine'' is a swear word.

The only reason that Kennedy is even up for confirmation is because he, like Elon Musk, decided to throw his dignity to the wind and bow down at Trump's altar. And because of that, he gets to be yet another rich guy with too few qualifications and too much power, somehow now charged with leading our government.

Trump is running this country like the mob: Kiss his ring. Pledge your unyielding loyalty. Get made.

It is just that, this time, you get made into a Cabinet Secretary.

Well, Kennedy has given Trump his fealty. So why would any of us ever think he would have the courage to stand up to Trump if the President issues an order that actively harms everyday Americans? How could any of us actually believe that Kennedy would fight back against Trump's worst instincts when Kennedy himself has proven, time and again, that he believes more sycophancy than science?

Now, Americans are going to be the ones to suffer because, now, with Kennedy's confirmation, even programs as popular, effective, and vital as Medicaid will be in even greater danger.

The Republicans told us in Project 2025 that they would come for Medicaid, and this is the rare case when the GOP has actually kept its word--putting at risk roughly 80 million Americans who rely on Medicaid, Americans in red States and blue, in big cities and small towns, and folks who may have never heard of RFK, Jr., but who will certainly feel the effect when he rips away the healthcare their family so desperately needs.

Medicaid is a lifeline for kids, for pregnant women, for people in nursing homes, for Americans with disabilities. The Republicans don't seem to care about any of that. It is obvious that Donald Trump has never stayed up late at night, hunched over the kitchen table with a calculator in one hand and a medical bill in the other, praying to figure out a way to afford his child's insulin. No, of course not.

With every passing day, it becomes clearer and clearer that Republicans care more about tax breaks for the billionaires they pal around with on the golf course than prescriptions for the middle-class folks who actually work at Mar-a-Lago. While that teacher in Peoria lies awake at night trying to work out how she can afford her father's home care now that he can no longer get those services through Medicaid, while that new mom in Chicago who has just learned she has stage 3 cancer and is trying to find a second job so she can afford both diapers for her newborn and her own chemotherapy, Donald Trump and Elon Musk will be too busy lining their already full pockets to care.

To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, I am sure many of you have faced health crises of your own. I am sure many of you have had a parent who has been sick or a nephew who has been in a car crash or a spouse who has been in need of an emergency C-section or a child who has relied on an autoimmune injector. Imagine if your loved ones hadn't had care they could rely on in the moment, and then ask yourself how you can sleep soundly tonight if you vote to further the agenda of a couple of rich guys who so clearly don't care about making America healthy. They only care about tipping it even more in favor of the wealthy. They are not bringing back the good old days of Reagan; they are just bringing back the days of dying from the measles. And they are certainly not making America great again; they are making America sick again. That is the Trump-Kennedy promise.

I care about my constituents' ability to afford their prescription medications, their ability to get the vaccines that will keep them alive through the next pandemic, their ability to survive those worst- case scenario health moments without going broke in the process.

So for all of those reasons and a thousand more, I will be voting no on Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s nomination. If my Republican colleagues care about any one of those things, too, then they will have no choice but to do the same.

Mr. President, I have received a number of messages from my constituents describing what access to Medicaid means to them and their families. I would like to close by asking unanimous consent that they be printed in the Congressional Record.

After working in construction his whole life, Tom, age 60, experienced a series of heart attacks. He cannot return to work with his current disabilities, and Medicaid is the only health insurance available to him. Medicaid covers his cardiologist visits and the eight medications he needs to stay alive. Tom has applied for Social Security disability benefits, but has not been approved. If Medicaid work requirements were implemented, Tom doesn't know how he would prove that he is disabled and cannot work since his disability application is still pending. The uncertainty of whether his state would even approve an exemption adds to his stress. He knows he cannot afford the care and treatment he needs out-of-pocket.

Beth--Medicaid pays for my 25-year-old autistic son to attend Community Day Services. Without this financial help my son would not be able attend. It is CRUCIAL that he has a routine. Without this his behavior would be terrible and it would affect his and our family's live horribly. He is not independent enough to work. Cutting off Medicaid would harm him. I hope President Trump comes to realize the damage that would be done if he cuts it off.

Brian and Janice--Alex genetic disability requires many doctors' visits and tests and medication. She also requires physical therapy and occupational therapy. Medicaid is her health insurance for these things. Due to her disability she can only work a little bit not enough to pay insurance costs or her bills. I am her mom plus caregiver. She relies on me for help with basic needs and she can't drive, so I have to get her to work and appointments. She will never be able to live alone. She will always require a caregiver. Medicaid provides caregivers. In the future Medicaid will provide day programs, when I am not physically able to care for her and her brother becomes her guardian. Medicaid provides for needs now, so she can have a good life and will provide for her needs in the future, as a parent of a child with a disability this relieves our stress. As a parent we won't live forever, and it gives us peace of mind to know she has these services to live a fulfilling life!

Diane and Erin--Medicaid helps me take care of my daughter with a disability. It costs over $350,000 per person per year in an institution. Medicaid provides a much better quality of life for people in the community for 7% of that budget. My daughter can work in the community because she lives in the community. She is able to enjoy the hobbies she loves, attend college to pursue a degree in dance, and maybe, thanks to Medicaid's support, maybe even live independently.

Neomi--My son suffered a brain injury at birth. He is g- tube dependent and teach/vent dependent. Medicaid covers the copay costs and items necessary that aren't covered by private insurance, Medicaid covers his in-home nursing that allows him to attend school and access our community. The Medicaid waiver program has granted him the means to enter his home, family vehicle and a home generator to ensure his life sustaining equipment can always run and to help maintain his environment. With out Medicaid, my son would have to live in a hospital.

Casandra--My medically complex son was born with Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome. He has required a tremendous amount of medical care since birth that we were not planned for. We were initially denied Medicaid and the final burden for resources he needs were a lot for a family to handle with only one parent being able to work while the other has to provide care for him. As care became harder, we were approved for Medicaid. Medicaid picks up the expenses our primary insurance does not cover. It has also allowed us to have in home nursing which is necessary for him to be able to attend school and allow myself a little bit of a break. Cade has a very serious case of seizures that can become deadly quickly which is why he needs nonstop supervision. He also has stage 3 kidney disease, heart defects, cleft palate which causes feeding issues therefore he is g-tube dependent, severe apnea requiring CPAP and oxygen, immune deficiency requiring immune therapy on a weekly basis, many hospital stays for seizures and illness. He has around 15 specialty doctors at our children's hospital. He is 7 years old, nonverbal and can not walk alone. He works hard daily to continue his development through therapies.

Debra--I adopted two medically fragile children from foster care. Both have Medicaid as their primary and only insurance. They both receive services through the Division of Specialized Care for Children in Illinois. My daughter has a MFTD waiver. They require 19 daily prescription medications. My son requires a nightly injection that is $4,000 a month. My daughter requires multiple pieces of expensive medical equipment. I would never have been able to afford to adopt them with all these needs without knowing they would be able to receive Medicaid. I am so proud of how much they have accomplished thanks to the therapies Medicaid has provided. Medicaid is a vital, life saving program for thousands of children like mine. We need to fight to keep Medicaid accessible for all who need it.

Gayle and Kelly--Medicaid provides my supplemental health/ medical insurance. In addition, Medicaid funding provides services and supports that help me reach my employment and independence goals. With Medicaid, I have the opportunity to live with dignity and purpose.

Tessa--Medicaid helps my son receive services that are imperative to his daily living without interruption. It allows our family to operate on a stable foundation to make sure our sons care is fully supported while being a mother to my other children as well.

Dyan--My daughter Caity was born with Down Syndrome. She has a trache and vent to help her breathe and a g-button to help her eat. We use Medicaid to cover the costs our insurance doesn't cover for her medical needs. As well my daughter needs nursing to go to school and help her live day to day. Without Medicaid, Caity would not be living and would not be able to go to school.

Tommi--Medicaid allows me to keep Amanda home. It also provides a piece of mind knowing that we always have extra help covering her astronomical medical costs. Amanda has Spina Bifida and other anomalies and relies on life sustaining equipment such as 24/7 oxygen, tube feeds and ventilator to sleep; without Medicaid, the copay for these items would be so costly our family would not be able to afford to survive. Medicaid has not only allowed us to keep Amanda home so we can care for her; I am sure, because of this, Amanda is still alive. I am confident the care she receives at home far surpasses the care she would receive at a care facility, (if we could find one that could provide for her high level of needs), or she would have to be hospitalized, putting her at risk for major complications due to infections and other ailments that are picked up in a hospital base setting. I am paid as Amanda's caregiver thanks to Medicaid; this allows me to provide the best care possible for Amanda to give her the best quality of life possible.

Sarah--My son has a rare genetic syndrome, Ayme-Grippe, with many medical complications. He has a tracheostomy tube, a gastronomy tube, cochlear implants, contact lenses, and seizures, to name a few. Medicaid supplements our private insurance and allows us to keep nursing hours staffed, our prescriptions filled, and all necessary tests and interventions performed, which in turn, keeps Beau out of the hospital or an institution, and home where he belongs. Along with the host of medical features, Beau also has the warmest smile, the best twinkle in his eyes, and the softest touch when he holds your hand. He deserves everything this world has to offer, and Medicaid helps us give it to him.

Rebekah--Care for my disabled child at home. If we did not have Medicaid our daughter would be living in a hospital. We use in home nursing services to help care for her. Medicaid has also provided us with medical supplies and equipment to ensure we give her adequate care and to keep her safe. Miracle has a Trach, feeding tube, central line and is TPN dependent. She is also type 1 diabetic and depends on her medications and blood sugar monitoring devices and supplies.

Jane--Medicaid helps me send my son to an adult day program that helps be an active member in our community It supplies a safe place for him.

Jill--It allows me to work while my adult son attends a day program where he gets social interaction and life skills.

Ally--Keep my son with complex medical needs at home (with home nursing) and out of the hospital/long term care.

Lindsay--Keeping my son at home. Medicaid provides nursing care to give us a mental break and prevent caregiver burnout. They also help us get him to his many appointments and therapies. If we lose Medicaid, we would have to put my son (14 years old) in a hospital or turn him over to the state to be put in a nursing home. We can't afford monthly feeding enteral supplies. That alone is $8,500 a month. We would have to file bankruptcy. Most private insurance companies won't pay for feeding supplies. There is already a nursing shortage, and he needs someone by his side 24/7, which can't happen in a hospital or nursing home.

Mary--My child has Septo Optic Dysplasia and cognitive delay. He has a tracheotomy tube to breathe and a feeding tube to eat. He is Nonmobile and requires 24/7 care. Medicaid provides in home nursing for his care; otherwise, he would need to live in a long-term facility. Medicaid is vital to our family staying together as a family.

Maximilian--Participate in day programs and activities that give me meaningful life and community experiences.

Erika--Care for my medically complex child at home. Medicaid helps me acquire critical supplies my son requires to stay healthy such as tracheostomy, g-tube, and daily care supplies. It also helps us receive medications such as antiepileptic medications. This is just a fraction on ways Medicaid supports the quality of life for my child.

Tara--Medicaid has been a lifeline for our family for the past two years. My daughter has a rare condition called Aicardi Syndrome. She suffers from a whole slew of medical issues. Two years ago, her health took a nosedive, and we were faced with an incredibly hard decision. Due to her being in the hospital frequently and needing 24/7 medical care, we were forced to have me quit my job as a nurse to become her nurse at home. We barely made it by with two incomes, let alone one. I found the MFTD waiver through DSCC, and we found a way to care for our daughter like she deserves. Medicaid pays for nursing that our primary insurance does not cover. The state allows me to be paid as her nurse so we are able to financial pay for our daily needs, home, and wheelchair van to transport our daughter. It helps to pay for all the supplies and monthly fees associated with her equipment she needs to help her eat and breathe. With Medicaid funding we were able to get a generator for our home, so when the electricity is out (we are rural and it can take many hours to restore), we do not have to take her to the hospital immediately to get the equipment she needs to live. We were able to fund a wheelchair accessible van to transport her safely. Without Medicaid, we would not have access to medications, equipment, supplies, and nursing. These are the things that keep my daughter alive.

Christina and Emma--I have a trach and a g-tube. I am nonmobile and nonverbal. I use an eye-gaze device to communicate. Home Nursing makes it possible for me to go to school!

Jenni--Give support to my child so we can work and earn a living to care for our family. Medicaid's also allows her to attend a day program when she exits school in 2 years so we can work and earn a living. Selena has severe epilepsy and intellectual abilities that prohibit her from being able to work, speak or care for herself.

Alaina and Ayla--Get all of the supplies I need to help me eat and breathe at home. It also helps me get the equipment I need to make me stronger and work on my standing. Medicaid pays for my therapists that I love that teach me new ways to move around in my own way and interact with my siblings and friends.

Yvonne--Medicaid helps me keep my loved one at home, as healthy and connected to his family and community as he can be. Medicaid helps me provide him with the doctors, therapists, and medical equipment that he needs to grow and develop. Without Medicaid, my son would not be here.

Tifanny--My daughter was born with several congenital abnormalities and has no unifying diagnosis. She is a rare medical case; we still have no understanding for. Without Medicaid programs and grants, she would not be able to receive her at home nursing or care from her many physicians. Graylinn would not be alive today or live in her home with her family if it wasn't for her Medicaid programs providing her with in-home nursing services. She would be living in the hospital. She would not be able to have life experiences such as attending her older sisters sporting events and family holidays.

Sarah--Take care of my child. My child is on seizure medications to help control seizures. A ventilator to help with breathing and keeping lungs inflated. A feeding tube and formulas and has many health issues. Medicaid helps with all of those things and in-home nursing so that my child does not have to be in an institution. Many of the things needed are very costly. If it wasn't for the help, our family would not be able to provide these things, and our child would no longer exists. Please consider all that are affected by these decisions.

Yanet--I'm the mother of a girl with special needs. With the Medicaid, We Get to go to doctors' visits. We get Medicine that my family needs. Without the help of Medicaid, I would not be able to go to my doctor or get the medicine or services that I need. Like psychological help for my depression that has help the whole family. I won't be able to Get the audiologist services or physical therapy my 9-year- old son needs.

Andrea--Take care of my daughter, who is 11 years old and medically fragile. Medicaid paid for her specialists, hospital visits, and medical services so she doesn't live in a hospital--which would be catastrophically more expensive. Because of this, she thrives, and I'm able to work and serve my community.

Denise--Our son Andrew, who goes by Drew, is 29 years old and has Down syndrome. Medicaid is his health insurance provider. He has a permanent pacemaker, and it work 80% of the time, causing his battery to drain quickly. Without his pacemaker, he would at best have a very poor, even more disabled, quality of life; at worst, he would die. He has a congenital heart defect that requires ongoing monitoring, as well as thyroid disease also requires monitoring. He is employed part time but would not qualify for health benefits, nor would he be able to afford them. Our son was pulled from the PUNS list at age 25, and that pays us as his parents and legal guardians to provide his care at home, rather than placing him in a group home. Taking away that would take away \1/2\ of our income.

Lindsey--Provides nursing allows which allows me to live at home and my parents to work. It also covers all my medical appointments and therapies, and my gastronomy tube, formula and other medical supplies.

Mary Anne--Pay for community day program services for my 23-year-old son, who has autism and intellectual disability. Aidan loves his day program, and going there is fulfilling and gives him purpose each day. At the day program, Aidan is given the opportunity to learn, socialize, gain new skills and be a meaningful part of his community. We are grateful the Medicaid waiver funding exists to keep these programs functioning for our most vulnerable loved ones like my son. Loosing Medicaid funding would be devastating to Aidan and many others like him.

Robin--Provide care for my son. So I can work and provide for our family. So Colin has health care and the medication he needs for his epilepsy. Provide personal support workers that work with him daily. Behavioral therapy.

Suzanne--Without Medicaid funding, my day program would not be able to operate, my tuition would be unobtainable, and my family and I would be stuck at home with no options for my current daily life or my future.

Drew--Medicaid is the reason that my husband and I are able to care for our son at home. It provides his food. He is nourished through a G-tube, it provides tracheotomy supplies. It provides oxygen to help him breathe, a nebulizer, chest therapy and other pieces of equipment that without these he would have to be hospitalized. The cost of hospitalization is very expensive. Medicaid helped to provide the vertical lift to get my son in and out our house for his appointments. It helps to cover nursing expenses to care and help my husband and I care for him in our home. It covers the numerous medications that are necessary to keep our son alive and out of the hospital.

Jaclyn--Medicaid helps me to care for my daughter at home, where she belongs. It provides the critical support Ava needs--ventilator care, nursing, and medical supplies--so she can grow, learn, and thrive with her family. Without Medicaid and the MFTD waiver, keeping Ava home wouldn't be possible. It allows us to give her every opportunity to reach her full potential while keeping our family together. Medicaid isn't just a program--it's a lifeline for families like ours.

Maria--I never imagined that I would become disabled, especially at a young age. I had been working since my early teens, believing that if I worked hard, I would always be able to provide for myself and my family. But by 25, my body was in complete flare-up, and I found myself unable to work while raising two small children as a single parent. Then came the life-changing diagnosis--a brain tumor. Without Medicaid, I would not be here today. Medicaid has provided me with the lifesaving medical care I need to survive and be there for my children. It has allowed me to continue my advocacy work, where I fight for disability rights and support the most vulnerable in our communities. My life has meaning, just like the lives of millions who rely on Medicaid. Cutting Medicaid would be devastating--not just for me, but for countless others whose survival depends on it. Please, don't take away our lifeline. Our lives depend on it.

Todd--I am a Medically Fragile Technology Dependent person. Medicaid is the only reason I can live with my parents and not have to live in a hospital or institution. Medicaid pays for me to have my ventilator, oxygen, suction machine and all the supplies necessary for me to be able to live in my home with my family. I have ROHHAD Syndrome, an extremely rare medical condition that only about 100 or so children have ever been diagnosed with. Medicaid also pays for my private duty nursing so that I can go to school and work in the community. Without Medicaid's support, I would have a tragically horrible life in a cold and uncaring institution somewhere, away from my family. I need Medicaid so that I can live a life that I love, with the people I love.

Illinois Provider--I want to share the story of two young clients, aged 3 and 5, who were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and atrophy due to the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord. These children were born without any initial concerns, but as they grew older, they began to lose their motor skills. Despite having typical cognitive abilities, they became extremely fragile. They could no longer attend school or leave their hospital beds on the main floor of their home, as they were dependent on machines to help them breathe and unable to move independently.

Illinois Provider--Their mom was a single parent and could not leave them even to go to the grocery store. They were unable to find consistent nursing care due to nursing shortages, so their mom became the expert. Due to their needs, she was unable to work. I came into the home as the speech-language pathologist with Early Intervention, which allowed me to see the younger child until her third birthday. However, her older sister no longer had care as there were no providers who accepted Medicaid insurance in the area. I was able to help the younger child learn how to use a speech- generating device funded by Early Intervention. This allowed her to communicate with her mom and sisters using her eyes to activate words on her communication device. Not only was she able to ask for suction to clear her airway when her breathing was compromised, but she was also able to ask for her mom to come and play with her when she was lonely or bored--both of which are desperately important communication needs.

Julie, Chicago--Medicaid has been fabulous--helped me through breast cancer, and still helping me. We cannot afford not to be able to take advantage of this benefit. I worked and paid taxes for my entire life.

Susan, Chicago--Pre-ACA, I couldn't get healthcare at any price for 5 years due to a pre-existing condition. In the meantime, my body started failing me to the point where I couldn't work and wound up on disability. After 6 months, I became eligible for Medicare, which was life-changing. A few years ago, I was able to get Medicaid, as well, after the Medicaid Expansion. It enables me to have a caregiver twice a week. I'm a Senior. I've often wondered if I had had access to healthcare earlier, if it would've meant I could keep working. I think that would have made a huge difference in my life. I'm doing much better now, and I volunteer when I can. It's my way of giving back.

Gail B., South Holland--Gail B., RN is a home health and hospice staff educator and mother of three. She knew all about Medicaid throughout her career, but never thought she'd need it or qualify for it herself. When doctors removed a lump in her breast, they discovered she had treatable breast cancer. Privately insured through her employer, Gail, who had previously survived cervical cancer, underwent a painful radiation regimen, which left her with oozing underarm burns. She could barely keep her eyes open when she got home after her 50-mile roundtrip commute, let alone try to prepare a meal for herself. Still, she felt fortunate to have insurance. But near the end of her treatment, she was laid off--losing her job and her insurance. Unemployed, uninsured, and ill, Gail didn't know what to do or where to turn, until a friend recommended she apply for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which provides treatment through Medicaid. Sheepishly, Gail visited Mercy Hospital in Chicago, where a staff `navigator' helped her enroll for Medicaid. Her doctors quickly accepted her new insurance coverage, enabling Gail to schedule follow-up appointments for that same week. Gail finished her treatment as a Medicaid beneficiary and returned to the workforce cancer-free just a few months later. While she is no longer on Medicaid, she credits it with saving her life and supporting her through her time of crisis. These days, Gail also volunteers as an ambassador for breast cancer survivors in her spare time.

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Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. President, I yield 30 minutes of postcloture debate time to the Democratic leader.

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