REP. SYLVIA GARCIA VOTES TO PASS DISAPPROVAL RESOLUTION AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ATTACK ON MEDICAID

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) voted in favor of House Resolution 826. This resolution expresses Democrats' disapproval of President Trump's harmful actions towards Medicaid. Last week, the Trump Administration unveiled its illegal Medicaid block grant plan, inviting states to cap and slash Medicaid, which would make it harder for certain low-income Medicaid recipients to get the care they need.

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.

"During his State of the Union Address, the President spoke about how he is fighting to protect people with pre-existing conditions and expand access to healthcare; however, this action is yet another example of his assault on the right of Americans to access the healthcare they need," said Rep. Garcia. "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. We must continue to fight back against Republican efforts to take away people's healthcare and that is why I voted for this resolution, reaffirming my support Medicaid and the many Americans who rely on its for their medical care."

The Resolution of Disapproval affirms the sense of the House of Representatives that:

• The illegal actions taken by the Trump Administration to undermine the Medicaid program, including beneficiary protections, are a cruel attack on a program that provides for the health and well-being for some of our most vulnerable citizens;
• The Trump Administration should immediately withdraw its illegal block grant guidance and cease its campaign to undermine and weaken Medicaid; and
• The Trump Administration should uphold its responsibility to faithfully execute the law, including the Medicaid Act, and cease any and all efforts that threaten the care of the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent Texas 29th Congressional district.