Bill Pascrell: “The question I get asked is: What the heck were they thinking about? Let me tell you what they are thinking about.…”

“The question I get asked is: What the heck were they thinking about? Let me tell you what they are thinking about. Medicaid is the source of 25 percent of all projected public and private spending for drug abuse treatment. It is about $8 billion. Let's consider James Suber from my hometown of Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Suber began seeking treatment when New Jersey expanded its Medicare program and provided more comprehensive access to treatment. At least New Jersey got it half right. Each morning Mr. Suber receives treatment at Paterson Counseling Center, which allows him to go to work as a cleaner at Well of Hope, another treatment center in Paterson serving the homeless. Without the treatment he receives through Medicaid, he wouldn't be working. He would be using the emergency department at St. Joseph's hospital, the most expensive part of the hospital. Or maybe he wouldn't have survived. So, Mr. Speaker, for the life of me, I don't understand why we would jeopardize treatment for James and the millions of other Americans facing similar challenges. What were they thinking? Will this bill improve Medicaid? Nope. Will this bill increase the number of Americans with health coverage? Nope. Will it lower costs on the exchanges? Nope. Will this bill bolster employer coverage? No. Will coverage now provide more access to care, a promise time and time again by Mr. Trump, himself? No. Will it strengthen Medicare? No. {time} 1445 Mr. Speaker, it is obvious.…”