Kathy Castor: “I thank Chairman Pallone for yielding the time. Affordable healthcare is fundamental to the well-being of American…”

“I thank Chairman Pallone for yielding the time. Affordable healthcare is fundamental to the well-being of American families, but the Trump administration doesn't believe that. Now, they are proposing again to shrink, block, or eliminate health services under Medicaid. For over 50 years, Medicaid has provided a coverage guarantee. It is guaranteed that if you fall on hard times or if you have a disability or you are a senior in skilled nursing, care will be there if you need it. But this proposal out of the administration will severely chip away at that coverage guarantee. It is particularly harmful to my home State of Florida, and it will complicate our ability to expand Medicaid health services to families who need it. Don't just take it from me. Patient advocates, doctors, and hospitals overwhelmingly oppose block grant waivers because they will weaken access to care. Groups like AARP, the American Cancer Society Action Network, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Federation of American Hospitals, the Children's Hospital Association, and many others have spoken out against block grants and waivers. Unfortunately, this is part of the administration's broader antihealthcare agenda. They have tried to weaken affordable care through budgets; we have rejected it. Through legislation, we have defeated it. Now, they are in the courts to take away that coverage for preexisting conditions. The Trump antihealthcare agenda is cruel. It is wrong.…”