Political Quotes

“Madam President, I want to honor the life and legacy of Julianne ``Julie'' Beckett of Cedar Rapids, IA. Julie was a mother and passionate advocate for children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities. I got to know Julie very well over the years as the result of her daughter, Katie Beckett, and Julie's passionate advocacy on Federal policy work such as Katie Beckett waivers, Family Opportunity Act, Money Follows-the-Person, Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act, Accelerating Access to Kids Care Act, and more. Julie's daughter, Katie, was born in Cedar Rapids, IA, on March 9, 1978. Five months after she was born, Katie contracted viral encephalitis followed by grand mal seizures. The encephalitis caused damage to her central nervous system and her respiratory system, and she was attached to a ventilator. She would be almost 2 years old before she could breathe on her own. Under Medicaid law at the time, Katie could only receive care through Medicaid if she remained in the hospital, even though she was able to receive care at home. Iowa Congressman Tom Tauke heard of Katie's situation and realized that it made no sense to keep a child in the hospital who could be at home with her family. He worked to convince the Reagan administration that the system should be changed to allow States to provide Medicaid to children receiving care in their homes.…”