The Senator’s remarks can be found here and below.
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, offered an amendment to Senate Republicans’ “Big Bad Budget Bill” to stop cuts to Medicaid in states across the nation. Specifically, Blunt Rochester’s amendment would have protected state-directed payments (SDPs) which states use to increase access to vital hospital services. SDPs are especially critical to supporting maternal health services. Senate Republicans rejected Blunt Rochester’s amendment by a vote of 52-48.
In her floor remarks, Blunt Rochester highlighted that Medicaid is the single-largest payer of maternity care in the United States. It pays for pays for more than 40 percent of births nationwide and accounts for nearly half of all births in rural communities.
You can watch her remarks by CLICKING HERE. Find her transcribed remarks below:
“Mr. President, in one of the richest countries in the world, we have maternal and infant mortality crises. In fact, we have the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations.
“Today, Medicaid is single largest payer of maternity care in the United States, covering 40% of births nationwide and nearly half of the births in our rural communities.
“Obstetric units, particularly in rural hospitals, are closing at alarming rates – actually creating maternity deserts in this country. And a reason why? Low Medicaid hospital rates.
“To be blunt, now is not the time to be slashing the Medicaid program. My amendment would stop cuts to Medicaid used for vital hospital services, especially labor and delivery rooms.
“Leader Thune said it himself earlier today that Medicaid should be for pregnant moms. So, my colleagues, we have a choice. Do we stand for billionaires? Or do we stand up for moms and babies?
“For Democrats, the choice is clear, and I urge my Republican colleagues to vote Yes on the motion to support families over billionaires. I yield back.”
###
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.