Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar voted in favor of H. Res. 826, a resolution expressing disapproval of the Administration's harmful actions toward Medicaid.  Last week, the Administration unveiled its illegal Medicaid block grant plan, inviting states to cap and cut Medicaid.  The plan would essentially allow states to receive a waiver to block grant their Medicaid programs for certain low-income Medicaid recipients.

“For over half a century, Medicaid has been a pillar of health and economic security for Texans and their families, providing lifesaving protections for those who rely on nursing homes and long-term care as well as millions of low-income Americans,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “For this reason, I voted for H. Res. 826 to reaffirm my support for the vital lifeline of Medicaid on behalf of the people of Texas. I am committed to my duty to protect the health and well-being of the people of Texas and all Americans. I will always fight to lower the cost of prescription drugs, protect individuals’ pre-existing conditions benefit and strengthen the pillars of health and financial security for every American.”

The Administration’s Medicaid block grant plan undermines crucial protections of the Medicaid program and gives states broad authority to scale back important beneficiary protections, restrict eligibility standards and limit access to prescription drugs.  The effect would be to push Medicaid recipients off lifesaving medicines, impose unaffordable premiums to maintain coverage and leave more vulnerable families exposed to catastrophic medical bills – with ruinous consequences for rural hospitals, for families seeking opioid addiction treatment for their loved ones, for many veterans and for many others.

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