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