L. Paxon: “it was just 3 weeks ago that President Clinton said he supported giving States the opportunity to reform their poverty…”

“it was just 3 weeks ago that President Clinton said he supported giving States the opportunity to reform their poverty programs, and he said that if the States sent in waivers that he would sign them. Unfortunately, when we take a look at the record, it seems that politics is driving the administration rather than the needs of poor people in our States. Take a look at the Medicaid waiver requests made by our Nation's Governors. This chart reveals politics and party determine whether or not these reforms will be approved. Eight of the 11 Medicaid waivers approved by the administration went to States with Democrat Governors. Seven Republican Governors are still waiting for their waivers to be approved. In fact, two of the Republican Governors have been waiting 20 months, Mr. Speaker. My own State of New York has been waiting 14 months for the administration to act. No Democrat Governor ever had to wait longer than 11 months to get their waivers approved. Now, the President says he is for reform, but, in fact, he is blocking it and making it harder for our States to serve low-income families. I urge the President to stop playing politics and approve these reforms. We should pass this rule and pass this bill, and send a message, a loud, and clear message, to the White House.”