WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about the Republican plan to strengthen Medicaid by eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption.
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“Republicans are making America safer and more prosperous. As a part of that, we are strengthening Medicaid. I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine in Wyoming for over 20 years. I’ve cared for Medicaid patients my entire career. I understand Medicaid’s importance for the people it’s intended to serve. I’ve also seen its shortcomings.
“Medicaid became law in 1965. It was meant to be a safety net for the poor, pregnant women, children, and the disabled. Today, Medicaid has been stretched beyond its intended purpose. Medicaid covers 71 million people. Many are able-bodied and working-age. As a result, Medicaid has become broken and bloated. Its costs are ballooning. It will go bankrupt unless we take action now to strengthen it. The Republican plan will strengthen Medicaid for those whom it was originally intended.
“Our bill ensures illegal immigrants do not receive taxpayer-funded healthcare. 14 liberal states currently give free, taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants. California is the biggest offender. They set up a money laundering scheme to siphon money out of the Federal Treasury for free healthcare for illegal immigrants. The 1.4 million illegal immigrants who receive free healthcare strangle Medicaid. They are filling up waiting rooms and clinics. They make it harder for Americans to go and see a doctor. Our bill ends liberal states’ magnet for illegal immigrants. Medicaid cannot continue to be a reward for open borders and sanctuary states.
“Additionally, our bill roots out waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. Experts tell us that, in recent years, Medicaid has wasted $1.1 trillion in improper payments alone. In 2021, 666,000 people were enrolled in Medicaid in more than one state. The Wall Street Journal estimates these double-payments alone cost taxpayers $2 billion. Republicans will not allow scammers to continue to game the system and steal money from American taxpayers.
“Additionally, our bill puts in place work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults. 21 million able-bodied adults are currently on Medicaid. An American Enterprise Institute study recently found able-bodied adults on Medicaid who don’t work spend 4.2 hours every day watching TV and playing video games. That is 125 hours per month. They ought to be working – or at least looking for a job. Our bill requires these people to work or train 80 hours each month to remain on Medicaid. Senate Republicans are proposing a responsible path to self-reliance for able-bodied, working-age people. No more taxpayer-funded coddling.
“Let me share with you the story about a man whose son relies on Medicaid. This man’s son has autism and epilepsy. Medicaid was designed to serve individuals like him. Yet today, his son is stuck on a 10-year waiting list for in-home care. The man wrote about his family’s needs. He titled it, ‘My Son is Counting on Medicaid Work Requirements.’ Medicaid is often called a lifeline. Years of waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption have pushed those who truly need it to the back of the line. Republicans are fighting for families like this one. We are making sure Medicaid is there for the vulnerable. Meanwhile, Democrats are fine with healthy, working-age adults continuing to stay home, to play video games, and to receive Medicaid forever.
“Work requirements work. In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton promised to end welfare as we knew it. President Clinton partnered with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich to pass bipartisan welfare reform. Bipartisan welfare reform lifted millions out of poverty. Even President Barack Obama admitted, ‘We have to have work as the centerpiece of any social policy.’ President Obama was right then. Republicans are right today.
“Today, every Democrat has vowed to oppose our common-sense reforms. Democrats’ wasteful approach continues to drain Medicaid. Medicaid is for the truly needy. Medicaid is not for illegal immigrants or for able-bodied, working-age men who refuse to work. Republicans are rescuing this lifeline so that it serves those who need it most – now and in the future.”
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