Political Quotes

“An issue tonight that is much more important to the American people than many realize is Medicaid. Now, for folks who don't understand this, and you really had no need to until this health care debate began, but, if you will, there are three types of coverage for folks who have insurance. One is Medicare. Medicare is the program for folks who are typically 65 and above. It is the program that all of us pay into, having a certain amount deducted from our paycheck, and it goes into this account. The second is private insurance. Ninety percent of Americans have their private insurance policy through their employer. And then the last group is Medicaid. Now Medicaid is a program designed to support those of lower income as well as those who are elderly and, again, of lower income and long- term care--think nursing homes. And lastly, it supports the blind and disabled. The financing in Medicaid comes from your tax dollars, but it can be your tax dollars either funneled through the Federal Government paying a portion to the State, which is matched by what is called the State match, which is from the State itself. So Medicaid is a program for lower income which receives about, on average, 57 percent of the money that goes towards it from the Federal Government and 43 percent on average from the State government.…”