Watson Coleman Statement on Proposed Cuts to Medicaid
Washington, DC (January 30, 2020) — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement following an announcement of cuts to Medicaid by President Donald Trump:
“Today’s announcement from the Trump Administration that they would take healthcare from families who can’t make ends meet is another example of how this president continues to threaten the livelihoods of hardworking Americans. These are kids whose parents can’t afford their care, expecting mothers who need to see doctors, and grandparents in nursing homes. The ‘opportunity’ that the Administration sees to cut costs threatens coverage and access to seniors, veterans, and some of our most vulnerable citizens.
“I find this proposal appalling in light of the Republicans’ multi-billion dollar tax break in 2017. It is a dereliction of our duty to serve the people. Their plan to tie Medicaid spending to inflation ignores the fact that healthcare costs have increased more than three times faster than inflation – in part due to Trump’s refusal to take action to control costs.
“To be clear, the Trump administration is only doing this via executive action because it failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This illegal proposal from HHS will lead directly to suffering for working Americans. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds HHS, my colleagues and I will do everything we can to protect access to health care for Medicaid recipients, without caps or limitations.”
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