On the recordMarch 2, 2011
I come to the floor today as someone who has practiced medicine in Wyoming, taken care of families there for a quarter of a century, working with people all across our great State, as a physician who has also served in our State senate. Both in my practice, as well as in my service in the State senate, I have dealt with the issue of Medicaid, a program that was set up to help low-income Americans obtain health care. So I came today with a doctor's second opinion about recent developments and findings with regard to the health care law because, day after day, we see news reports showing States all across the country facing extreme financial budget pressures, even bankruptcy. One of the key factors exacerbating State fiscal troubles is the Medicaid Program. Over the next 10 years, Washington will spend about $4.4 trillion on Medicaid. At the State level, Medicaid spending now consumes roughly one-quarter of the budgets of each of the States. Increases in Medicaid costs often force Governors and State legislators to make drastic cuts to local priorities, such as education, law enforcement, public safety.
