'Do We Stand For Billionaires Or Do We Stand Up For Moms And Babies?': Lisa Blunt Rochester Slams BBB

During Senate floor debate, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) decried proposed maternal care cuts in the Senate GOP's Big Beautiful Bill.

Transcript

00:00Mr. President, in one of the richest countries in the world, we have maternal and infant mortality crises.

00:08In fact, we have the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations.

00:13Today, Medicaid is the single largest payer of maternity care in the United States,

00:19covering 40% of births nationwide and nearly half of the births in our rural communities.

00:25Obstetric units, particularly in rural hospitals, are closing at alarming rates,

00:32actually creating maternity deserts in this country.

00:37And a reason why? Low Medicaid hospital rates.

00:42To be blunt, now is not the time to be slashing the Medicaid program.

00:47My amendment would stop cuts to Medicaid used for vital hospital services, especially labor and delivery rooms.

00:55Leader Thune said it himself earlier today that Medicaid should be for pregnant moms.

01:00So, my colleagues, we have a choice.

01:02Do we stand for billionaires or do we stand up for moms and babies?

01:08For Democrats, the choice is clear, and I urge my Republican colleagues to vote yes on the motion to support families over billionaires.

01:16I yield back.

01:17For more information, pleaseil ichibrously.

01:18Thank you very much.

01:19His responsibilities areulated.

01:20Thank you very much.

01:21Thank you very much.

01:22Thank you very much.

01:36Thank you very much.

01:37Thank you very much.

01:40defendantrisis 1, B4-500, businessman IX included book reference.