Political Quotes

“I rise this afternoon to talk about an important anniversary. Today marks 53 years since the Medicare and Medicaid Programs have been created. I will speak specifically today about Medicaid. Many Americans are familiar with all of the benefits that Medicaid provides to so many Americans, but I don't know if people have a sense of the scope of it. First of all, Medicaid helps 70 million individuals and families in every stage of life. Medicaid covers nearly half of every birth in the United States of America. Medicaid covers 40 percent of all children across the country. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is also true that roughly 40 percent of all of the children have their healthcare covered through Medicaid. Roughly 50 percent of the people with disabilities in our State are covered by Medicaid, and about 60 percent of those who need skilled care, so-called nursing home care-- about 2 million Pennsylvanians--are covered by Medicaid. Medicaid is currently considered the ``gold standard'' for children's healthcare, which includes the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment benefits, known as EPSDT. It doesn't get a lot of attention, but a lot of the professionals who understand pediatrics and children's healthcare will stress the importance of early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Medicaid helps to prevent moms and dads from being forced into deciding whether to put food on their tables or take a child to see a doctor.…”