[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   DEFEND AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

  (Mr. O'HALLERAN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. O'HALLERAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in defense of the 
American healthcare system.
  Last week, the administration proposed a new demonstration program 
that would allow States to apply for block grants. These would permit 
States to slash funding for their Medicaid programs, reduce protections 
for beneficiaries, and restrict eligibility standards. A recent study 
by George Washington University found that these changes would also 
result in community health centers treating 5 million fewer patients 
over the next 4 years.
  This is unacceptable. Federal law already gives Medicaid flexibility 
to change from State to State. These proposed block grants are nothing 
more than cuts to funding for the program.
  Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for a resolution 
condemning these proposed changes as what they are: attacks on our 
healthcare system and those with preexisting conditions.

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