Nellie Pou: “the massive cuts to Medicaid within this bill will unleash catastrophic impacts across America and my district.…”

“the massive cuts to Medicaid within this bill will unleash catastrophic impacts across America and my district. Hospitals and nursing homes could close, and healthcare prices will rise as a result of these cuts. More than 1.7 million New Jerseyans, including over one-third of all children in our State, get their healthcare through Medicaid. Our State will lose one-quarter of the Federal funding it receives for Medicaid. That is $3.6 billion. That is what this bill will do if it becomes law. These cuts will especially hurt families in our poorest communities. That is why I offered an amendment to require continuous Medicaid coverage through pregnancy and a year postpartum. If my colleagues support women and working families, there is no reason to oppose this provision. However, my amendment was blocked, along with five other commonsense amendments. I urge my colleagues to please vote ``no'' on this cruel rule.”