Political Quotes

“it is with much disappointment that I rise today to mark the apparent, the apparent, demise of what was a carefully considered, carefully crafted, bipartisan agreement on Medicaid. Despite the historic agreement among the Nations 50 Governors, we are compelled by the President's veto threat to separate Medicaid reform from welfare reform. Ultimately, comprehensive welfare reform must include health care and health care reform for the poor. The face of that woman with her child in her arms who is below the poverty level, who wants to go back to work, is just inextricably combined and connected to that welfare system. Our Medicaid plan, which was based on this Governors' bipartisan proposal, would have indeed preserved the safety net for women, children, our senior citizens, and for individuals with disabilities. Mr. President, I stand here today also, along with my colleagues and before the American people, to assure them that we will continue to work for a strong, for a secure, and for a simplified Medicaid Program. After the election, when all of the partisan passions have subsided, we will find a way to work together and give relief to States burdened to the point today of bankruptcy by out-of-control skyrocketing Medicaid costs. For the sake of our children, for the sake of their families, we must find a way to put policy before politics.”