Soto Delivers Opening Remarks During Energy & Commerce Full Committee Markup of Budget Reconciliation Text

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during the House Energy & Commerce Full Committee Markup of Budget Reconciliation Text, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) spoke against cuts to Medicaid, including KidCare and nursing home care. In Florida’s Ninth Congressional District, over 158,000 constituents rely on Medicaid programs, totaling 19% of the district’s population. Below are Rep. Soto’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

“It's Ebenezer Scrooge Day at the Capitol today. Taking healthcare from the poor to fund tax cuts for the rich. 

“I'm sure Scrooge would think this is a very fine plan. A very fine plan, indeed. Of course, he's a billionaire hedge fund manager and he's thrilled about paying even less in taxes.

“We have a few perspectives to guide us. 

“First, it's my favorite: The Ghost of Congress Past. The 115th Congress, y'all may remember that. Where former GOP Congressman Jacob Marley, a frontliner, reminds you how he lost his seat, as well as 20 other Republicans, because you went after Obamacare, KidCare, and Medicaid. 20 seats lost and the majority. 

“Then, of course, there's the Ghost of Congress Present. The Cratchit family, of course, is on Medicaid. They have a disabled child, Tiny Tim. There's Ebenezer's beloved Fanny—she's on the ACA. 63 years old. And then Fred Scrooge. He thinks he's fine because he gets his healthcare through the employer.

“But we know what's gonna happen in the future. You passed this terrible bill and you cut $715 billion from the program. You can't just cut that and not have people lose health insurance.

“We know for a fact 13.7 million Americans will lose health insurance, including the Cratchit family. Of course, Tiny Tim dies in this scenario. Fanny finds out her Obamacare increases by $10,000. And of course, Fred Scrooge is shocked that his employer-based healthcare went up by 25% because people are flooding the emergency room because they're sick and they're uninsured.

“Of course, this is not some fairytale. In real life, back in my district, in Florida's Ninth, these are the kids from McCoy Elementary. Half the kids in my district are on Medicaid, they're on KidCare. It's a wildly popular program. You can't cut $715 billion from Medicaid, and then not have this affect our kids.

“And then I got to go to Providence Assisted Living. A nursing home in my district. I met George. He’s a veteran, he's partially in a wheelchair. 25% of the seniors in this assisted living facility get their coverage through Medicaid.

“Don't be a Scrooge!

“Don't vote for this terrible bill that's gonna cut Medicaid, cut KidCare, cut nursing home care all to fund tax cuts for the rich and powerful.”

For a video of Rep. Soto delivering his opening remarks, please click here.

The Energy & Commerce Committee markup can be watched here. 

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