OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

All the Cards are on the Table

Floor Speech

Date: May 3, 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income Government Operations Health Insurance

Ms. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, all the cards are on the table, and the Republicans want to reduce Medicaid to a mere block grant program and drastically alter the Federal-State partnership that has been struck for over 45 years.

The GOP budget argues that under a block grant program, ``States will no longer be shackled by federally determined program requirements.'' Sounds
nice, right? But, Mr. Speaker, what they really mean is that States will no longer have to meet standards that ensure quality, delivery of service, and eligibility.

The GOP budget argues that block grants will improve health care safety for seniors and low-income families. Again, sounds right, Mr. Speaker, sounds wonderful. But they fail to conveniently mention that the States would be required to spend below projected growth, forcing State governments to make up the difference by increasing spending. Again, that's a fat chance in this environment.

And so what they really want to do is to cap enrollment, cut eligibility, limit mandatory benefits, and lower provider reimbursement. Our doctors, our seniors, and our low-income families deserve so much better.


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