Political Quotes

“Mr. President, reserving the right to object, since last year, I have been asking for a commitment from my Democratic colleagues that any future reconciliation legislation in this Congress will not incorporate policies that will reduce access to care in nonexpansion States, such as Tennessee. Specifically, my concern is that the reconciliation legislation that the House of Representatives passed last fall, which is the very vehicle for the reconciliation bill currently being discussed in the Senate, included provisions that cut DSH and uncompensated care pool payments for nonexpansion States. This would result in less healthcare for vulnerable populations in my State, it would accelerate hospital closures, and it would disadvantage rural communities. These are places and populations for which we are trying to secure more quality healthcare, not less. Because I still have not received confirmation that these provisions will not be included in the final text of the partisan reconciliation bill, I cannot consent to expediting confirmation of this nominee and, therefore, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard. The Senator from Pennsylvania.”