Paul Tonko Highlights Family Who Would Be 'Devastated' By Medicaid Cuts In GOP Reconciliation Bill

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At the House Energy Committee markup hearing for the GOP budget reconciliation bill, Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) slammed Medicaid cuts.

Transcript

00:00The Senators in the room, Congressman Tom, sorry, my friend from New York, I just, are you, are you, seek recognition?

00:07Yes, sir.

00:07You're recognized for three minutes for opening statement.

00:11Thank you, Mr. Chair.

00:12I'm here today fighting for people like Noel and Nathan, proudly fighting for them.

00:18They're constituents of mine who are raising their family in Albany, New York.

00:22Their 12-year-old daughter, Ayla, has a rare genetic disorder and has received health care through Medicaid for almost eight years

00:29because of her disabilities.

00:31Through Medicaid, Ayla is in a program where she has self-directed care,

00:34which means she has a budget for a caregiver, classes, respite care, and more to best support Ayla and her family.

00:42Noel and Nathan shared with me that one of their first reactions when they heard about Republicans' plans

00:47was fear of how it could impact Ayla's care.

00:51In Noel's words, Medicaid changed our life.

00:54I can't imagine what our life would be like without Medicaid.

00:57It is not only the direct impact it has on Ayla's quality of life, but our entire family's quality of life.

01:04I know our story is just one of millions of families who would be devastated by the loss of Medicaid.

01:11Nathan added,

01:11On the human level, it has been life-changing for us.

01:15On an economic level, it allows us to work.

01:18To lose it would be awful, not only for our family, but also for the people we serve through our work.

01:24They explained to me that when you have a child with complex medical needs and disabilities,

01:29you are constantly navigating systems to advocate for your child in education settings,

01:34in health care settings, and in dealing with insurance.

01:37Noel described how, as a parent of a child with disabilities,

01:41you are often pushing through all the red tape for your child's need to be respected.

01:46Let's not add more red tape for this family.

01:49Noel has described how Medicaid provides Nathan and her with a breath of relief

01:55of thinking about these supports for Ayla as she gets older and enters adulthood.

02:00Noel shared a friend's sentiment that Ayla doesn't need to change for the world.

02:04The world needs to change for Ayla.

02:07I could not agree more.

02:09Noel asked members of this committee to rethink these devastating cuts

02:12and instead provide respect and provide dignity for families and individuals living with disabilities.

02:19On behalf of Ayla and her family and families like hers across my district,

02:23across New York State, and across our great nation,

02:25I demand that we reverse course on all cuts to Medicaid

02:28and additional red tape that would hurt so many people.

02:32With that, let's say no to lining the pockets of billionaires

02:35and yes to providing access to affordable health care via Medicaid for so many.

02:41With that, Mr. Chair, I yield back.

02:43The gentleman yields back, and I want to say I appreciate my colleagues' concerns,

02:47and we share them.

02:48Every example that has been mentioned are the people we're trying to strengthen Medicaid for.

02:52Not one of them will lose coverage under our bill unless they are able-bodied workers

02:56or they're in the country without a legal presence.

03:00So there's no one on the Republican side.

03:04A gentlelady from New York.

03:05My colleague from New York is recognized for three minutes for an opening statement.

03:10Mr. Chairman, I'd like to begin by sharing my story of my constituent, David.

03:15This is David, one of the many faces of Medicaid.

03:20David.

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