[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H5300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CUTS TO MEDICAID
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
California (Mr. Carbajal) for 5 minutes.
Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of children and
adults living with disabilities across the United States.
The cuts to Medicaid outlined in the dangerous Senate healthcare
repeal bill will not only result in the loss of healthcare access for
millions of Americans, but will also significantly reduce funding for
In-Home Supportive Services in my home State of California.
Medicaid covers 50 percent of the program costs for In-Home
Supportive Services. These funds provide care for an estimated 531,000
disabled children and seniors throughout California, which permits them
to continue to live with dignity in their own home.
The $772 billion cut to Medicaid outlined in this bill will have a
devastating impact on seniors and people with disabilities who rely on
Medicaid as their safety net for necessary long-term care services.
These cuts will directly affect the lives of my constituents,
including 15-year-old Crystal from Santa Maria, California, in my
district. Crystal was born with spina bifida, weighing in at just 2
pounds. She has survived under the dedicated care of her mother and
grandmother, who are her primary caretakers. Crystal is covered by
Medicaid, which allows her to receive specialized medical attention,
adaptive medical equipment, physical therapy, and pharmaceuticals.
Crystal's condition requires 24-hour care, a need that is fulfilled by
the In-Home Supportive Services program. Her life is contingent upon
this program.
I call upon my colleagues in the Senate to vote against this cruel
healthcare repeal, also known as TrumpCare, for Crystal and the
millions of our constituents like her who are at risk of losing their
quality of life.
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