Political Quotes

“Just a moment, Madam President. I am looking for the healthcare bill. I know it is here somewhere. I haven't been able to find it and have been looking all morning. I suspect maybe we will find it in the next couple of days. I wish to talk about Medicaid. Medicaid is often perceived as a welfare program, and it isn't. It is essential medical support. Now, let's talk about who receives Medicaid. Seventy-two percent of the people who receive assistance from Medicaid are children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Indeed, 85 percent of the expenditures for Medicaid, as opposed to enrollees--85 percent of the expenditures--are for those same groups--the children, the disabled, and the elderly. Particularly, what a lot of people don't realize is that Medicaid is one support--if not the principal support--for nursing home care throughout the country, and especially in my State of Maine. I suspect, if we surveyed people--perhaps some even in this body, but certainly in the general public: How are you going to cover Aunt Minnie's nursing home care when she has to have it later in her life, most people would say: Oh, we have Medicare. People I talk to at home say: Medicare is going to take care of me. No, except in very rare and limited circumstances, Medicare does not cover nursing home care. It doesn't cover long-term care. That is Medicaid. Sixty-eight percent of all the Medicaid spending in Maine was for elderly or disabled people in 2014.…”