J. Exon: “the Harkin amendment reveals the truth about the Republican strategy, it seems to me, better than anything else. If this…”

“the Harkin amendment reveals the truth about the Republican strategy, it seems to me, better than anything else. If this amendment is rejected, it will prove that they are not serious about enacting bipartisan welfare reform this year, legislation that I think is a must. Unlike welfare reform there has not yet been a broad bipartisan agreement on specific Medicaid legislation. This is because the Republicans have not backed down from their proposal to block grant this program. While Democrats and Republicans are closer to agreement on the level of Medicaid savings, we remain quite far apart, Mr. President, on how to achieve those savings. Democrats will not agree to end guaranteed coverage for children, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled Americans. Yet the Republican proposal gives no sign of maintaining those vital guarantees. Nor are any details provided to support their claim that this proposal reflects the National Governors' Association plan. Democrats are justifiably skeptical that States would be protected from economic fluctuations, changing demographics, and natural disasters, a key element of the Governors' plan under a Medicaid block grant. Therein lies the problem. If our Republican colleagues are serious, they would agree to enact bipartisan welfare reform first and then work to achieve a balanced budget that restrains Medicaid spending. This amendment would make that course possible.”