Brian Jones: “I rise today amid what we all know to be a global health and economic crisis that we are in. I rise to propose a…”

“I rise today amid what we all know to be a global health and economic crisis that we are in. I rise to propose a solution that has been in front of us all along from the very beginning. It is a solution that has existed for 55 years tomorrow--55 years. Medicaid has brought millions of people to better healthcare. It has brought billions of dollars into States. That is important when we have both a healthcare crisis and an economic crisis, but for 55 years, Medicaid has lifted the health outcomes of people all across this country and especially in so many States that need it--States like Alabama that are poor States, that are unhealthy States. But we can do better. A solution of Medicaid would bring billions of dollars into my home State of Alabama along with about a dozen other States. It would create thousands of new jobs. It would help shore up rural hospitals that are facing financial struggles, a condition made worse by this pandemic. It would provide healthcare coverage in Alabama alone to between 300,000 to 400,000 Alabamians who do not have it right now. Some didn't have it before this pandemic. Others don't have it now because they have lost their jobs. They have lost their employer- sponsored healthcare. Expanding Medicaid would generate $935 billion, with a ``b,'' in new tax revenue for the State of Alabama. It would help local economies across the State by creating good jobs and ensuring workers and their families have good healthcare.…”