|
There is no question that we must restore fiscal discipline to our
nation's government. Our country's deficit is projected to reach a record
$427 billion this year - the largest in our nation's history. If we continue
to drive our nation's budget further in the red, our nation will suffer,
and our children and grandchildren will be forced to pay for our irresponsible
actions down the road.
While getting our nation's fiscal house back in order requires us to
make difficult decisions concerning the way we raise and spend our taxpayer
dollars, there are some programs critical to the health and safety of Americans
that should not even be mentioned for funding cuts. One of those programs
is Medicaid, and unfortunately, the President's budget proposal cuts funding
for this important program by $60 billion over the next ten years!
Reducing Medicaid funding is flat-out insensible. Besides the fact that
Medicaid provides critical health care services for low-income children,
elderly, and the disabled, the federal government actually provides a funding
match to states that is formula driven and is based on the specific financial
needs of each state. Arkansas receives $3 from the federal Medicaid fund
for every $1 it spends in Medicaid funding. So the impact of a 10-year,
$60 billion cut in Medicaid funding would actually be much, much higher.
Shifting Medicare costs to the states would force many states to make
up the loss in federal revenue by raising local taxes, which would especially
have a detrimental impact on smaller, rural states like Arkansas. In fact,
governors from across the country were in Washington, D.C. this week to
voice their concerns about proposed Medicaid cuts. I recently had the opportunity
to sit down with Gov. Mike Huckabee, who shared his concerns about the
impact Medicaid cuts would have on Arkansas. I pledged to him that I would
do everything I could to ensure Medicaid funding is preserved and protected
for all Arkansas families.
When the President unveiled his budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal
year, he was quoted as saying, "all budgets have got to be based on priorities."
I agree with the President that the budget we implement must be priority-driven
and fiscally responsible. But for the President to recommend making his
tax cuts permanent on the backs of our seniors and the disabled is wrong.
As Congress debates the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, I will fight
to retain funding for Medicaid, as well as other programs critical to the
people of Arkansas. |
|
