MEDICAID CUTS IN U.S. TERRITORIES

Washington D.C.: Today, CHC Chairman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX-20), along with members of the CHC and members representing the U.S. territories, released the following statements to express their strong opposition to legislation put forward by House Republicans that would slash Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico and the four other U.S. territories by 65 percent over the next decade. House Republicans have proposed to repeal a provision in the 2010 Affordable Care Act that mitigated, but did not end, the discriminatory treatment that Americans in the territories have historically faced under the Medicaid program. Republicans have included the repeal of the ACA provision boosting Medicaid funding for the territories within a larger budget “reconciliation” bill that will be considered on the House floor tomorrow, and that would cut a total of $300 billion from the budget over 10 years.

CHC Chairman Charles A. Gonzalez (TX-20):

“American citizens who reside in Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories should be treated equally and without discrimination, and this applies to federal funding for programs that protect our most vulnerable populations. It is unfathomable that Medicaid funding to a state would be slashed by 65 percent, so there is no legitimate reason for Republicans to propose cutting these vital resources to U.S. citizens in the territories.”

Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (Puerto Rico):

"This week, the Republican-controlled House will vote to approve a budget reconciliation bill that would repeal every single penny of the $6.3 billion dollars in new Medicaid funding that Puerto Rico and the other territories received under the Affordable Care Act. If this bill ever becomes law, it would result in a 65 percent reduction in federal Medicaid funding for the territories, which would be devastating to our most vulnerable constituents.

"We are here this morning not simply to denounce the Republican proposal, but to make absolutely clear that the CHC—along with our allies in the White House and the Senate—have no intention of allowing this misguided, irresponsible and unprincipled bill to become law. Just as we fought together to obtain this long-overdue and desperately-needed funding, we will fight together to protect it from those who, in their zeal to cut spending, have abandoned any and all sense of perspective and justice".

Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Marianas Islands):
“Americans in the territories are already treated like second-class citizens when it comes to the Medicaid program. And now, with the only hospital in the Northern Mariana Islands struggling to find the money to stay open and little kids whose families can't pay getting turned away from the dentist, there could not be a worse time for Republicans to strip away a hard fought compromise reached in the last Congress. This is so frustrating to the Americans we represent. I fought hard for this program in the last Congress and I will fight even harder today and everyday to protect the rights of Americans in the Northern Mariana Islands.”

Rep. Donna Christenson (Virgin Islands):
“I stand with my colleagues today to remind my friends on the other side of the aisle that while we, the territories, may be small, we will not go down without a fight. The Tri-Caucus along with our allies fought tooth and nail to obtain this funding and trust me, we will fight tooth and nail to retain it because we, like every other member of this body, represent hardworking men and women who want to preserve and protect their health and wellness, and that of their families.”

Rep. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (Guam):
“The Republican attempt to eliminate critical Medicaid funding for the territories makes blind cuts to critical investments in our communities’ most vulnerable residents. These funds were authorized through a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to help to address the shortfalls due to the Medicaid caps in our districts. Even with these funds, however, the territories continued to struggle to provide many services. The territories are still subject to Medicaid spending caps and artificial FMAPs, which are set far too low. Instead of working with us to eliminate these inequities, the Republican leadership has decided to advance legislation that would move us backwards. They are seeking to undo all the progress made in the last Congress and cut total federal funding for Medicaid in the territories by 65% over the next decade. I thank Chairman Gonzalez and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for their efforts in organizing this conference, and I urge Republican leadership to work with us to find a responsible way to control spending without making harmful cuts to critical programs that many of our country’s most vulnerable residents, in the states and in the territories, depend on for healthcare coverage.”