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Democrats will Fight GOP Effort to Dismantle Medicaid

Statement

Date: March 31, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, and other Democratic members of the House Budget Committee met with Medicaid beneficiary and provider groups to discuss potential implications of the FY 2012 Republican budget resolution for Medicaid. Following the meeting, Congressman Van Hollen released the following statement:

"Today I had the privilege, along with several of my Democratic colleagues from the House Budget Committee, to meet with representatives of organizations who stand up for the interests of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others who rely on Medicaid for their health security. Their message was clear and simple: they are very fearful about what impact the soon-to-be-released FY 2012 Republican budget resolution will have on seniors and others whose health security would be devastated by proposals to block grant Medicaid. We share these concerns, and we look forward to continuing the robust discussions that we had today as we move forward in this ongoing process.

"Although our Republican colleagues have not yet released their proposed budget resolution, all indications are that they would like to dismantle the Medicaid program, doing serious damage to the health care safety net in this country, particularly for senior citizens and persons with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for long-term care.

"Block granting Medicaid is simply code for slashing health care support for seniors, people with disabilities, and others. It is not reform. It does nothing to reduce health care costs. It simply gives governors a blank check and a license to deny critical care to millions of seniors and to people with disabilities.

"To be clear: Democrats remain staunchly committed to improving quality and access to healthcare for all Americans. We will not support a budget that provides tax breaks to millionaires and oil companies while slashing health security to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others."


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