WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted in favor of House Resolution 826 to disapprove of the Trump Administration’s proposed Medicaid block grant plan. This resolution is in response to the announcement last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that would allow states the option to cap Medicaid spending and reduce health benefits for millions using block grants. The Administration’s plan for states to cap and slash Medicaid would 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, families seeking opioid addiction treatment for their loved ones and seniors with long-term care need.
“This week, we heard this administration brazenly take credit for the work of House Democrats to lower the cost of prescription drugs and health care, and proclaim to support the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions during the State of The Union. In reality, this administration is currently in court to strip the protections and services provided by the Affordable Care Act. It has also done everything to restrict access to care by throttling Medicaid and Medicare services,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “Nearly 800,000 Connecticut residents rely on Medicaid. I will do everything in my power to continue fighting against attacks that will reduce access to care for my constituents, and the 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions.”
Congresswoman Hayes championed the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), landmark legislation by House Democrats that would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies. The bill gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies – taking the power back from corporate boardrooms of companies that are currently holding American patients hostage with skyrocketing prices – and forcing them to agree to real price reductions that are in line with international drug prices.
Congresswoman Hayes voted in support of the Protecting Pre-existing Conditions & Making Health Care More Affordable Act, a bill that would reverse any efforts to sabotage the critical protections of the Affordable Care Act and ensure that patients with pre-existing conditions can find affordable, high-quality coverage. This bill would lower insurance premiums and expand affordability assistance.
Congresswoman Hayes has also supported 11 other bills this Congress to lower drug costs, protect people with pre-existing conditions and increase coverage.
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Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.