Rep. Crist Issues Statement on President Trump Medicaid Block Grant Plan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Florida, issued the following statement on Feb. 7:

U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) released the following statement on House passage of H.Res. 826, a resolution disapproving of the President's harmful actions towards Medicaid through establishing a block grant plan that would allow states to slash costs by stripping millions of seniors and those with low-income or disabilities of their Medicaid. Under the President's proposal, states would have wide latitude to restrict coverage and limit access to prescription drugs for people on Medicaid, putting 4 million Floridians at risk.

The resolution, which passed by a vote of 223-190, is just the administration's latest attempt to strip vulnerable, working-class Americans of their medical coverage.

"President Trump promised the American people he would not cut Medicaid. Yet, his Administration's relentless attack on the health care of my constituents carries on.

"The People's House took decisive action today to protect Medicaid and help President Trump keep his promise.

"Medicaid is the most cost effective health plan in America.

The Administration's use of words like 'flexibility,' 'fiscal responsibility,' and 'choice,' mask the real goal.

A Medicaid block grant is a Medicaid cut. That means cutting health care for the most vulnerable in our country: seniors, children, low-income people, and people with disabilities. It's unacceptable."