Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of increasing Medicaid funding for States that is contained in this legislation. I have been leading the effort on this issue, and I am determined to see it through.

During this economic crisis, our States have suffered, which means our citizens have suffered. States are facing severe budget shortfalls, and without Federal help will have to take extreme action. Who would this hurt? It would hurt our most vulnerable: our children, our elders, our sick, and our frail. People who rely on Medicaid benefits would see them slashed. States would be forced to make cuts where we can least afford it.

Not only does Medicaid funding protect citizens, it also promotes them. The Congressional Budget Office found that increased Medicaid assistance creates jobs and increases demand in the economy.

The recovery is underway, but it is slow. Families in Wisconsin and across the Nation are struggling to make ends meet and find good jobs. We in the House have time and again passed legislation to try to address this through additional Medicaid funding and dedicated dollars for teachers in our schools. Finally, today we have the opportunity to send this bill to the President.

In Wisconsin alone, passing this measure will prevent between 2,000 and 3,000 teachers from being laid off, and it will prevent $650 million in Medicaid cuts.

I have heard from students, doctors, and State employees who have known for months what Congress was too slow in realizing, these cuts would be catastrophic and we must prevent them.

I want to thank Chairman Waxman for his steadfast commitment to creating jobs and supporting American families. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

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