On the recordOctober 19, 2021
reserving the right to object, again, this deals with an area that is in the province of the Senate Finance Committee. There, I made a special priority of ensuring that Americans who count on Federal healthcare programs can actually get the care they need. The notion that Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP coverage could be subject to vaccination status is just nonsense. Contrary to Republican views that Federal coverage should be contingent on filing extensive paperwork, as conservative Governors have pushed in States from sea to shining sea, Democrats believe healthcare is a basic human right and should be available to all. Millions of Americans have received the COVID-19 vaccine through the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. That ought to be celebrated as a success rather than scaring people about their earned benefits being taken away. These bills--now two of them--are thoroughly about political messaging and aren't going to help to end this pandemic or do anything to address challenges facing so many of our constituents. With that, again, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. The Senator from Florida.
