Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its preliminary analysis of the Graham-Cassidy bill which would rip away health care from millions of Americans and cut $1 trillion from Medicaid:
“Graham-Cassidy continues to confront Nevada with a false choice that takes our state backwards. This legislation will not open a new hospital, fund a new opioid addiction treatment program, or cover an additional child in the State of Nevada. Instead, this bill will put in jeopardy the health care of 158,000 kids in Nevada with pre-existing conditions, shutter mental health programs, deny pregnant mother’s pre-natal care, and raise prescription drug costs. This bill will destroy Medicaid as we know it by cutting over $1 trillion in health care from millions of hardworking families. I urge every Nevadan to make their voices heard now by calling and emailing the congressional delegation.”
Background on Graham-Cassidy’s Devastating Impact on Nevada:
- Graham-Cassidy will end Governor Sandoval’s Medicaid expansion, putting at risk the health care of 243,000 Nevadans currently receiving coverage.
- The bill will strip Nevada of as much as $2 billion in federal funds by 2027.
- Graham-Cassidy will increase premiums and lower the quality of health coverage for thousands of Nevadans.
- The bill allows insurers to once again discriminate against Americans with pre-existing conditions.
- This could prevent up to an estimated 1.2 million Nevadans, including 158,000 children with pre-existing conditions, from getting the coverage they need.
- Graham-Cassidy will cut critical mental health, substance abuse, and maternal care programs, including Planned Parenthood.
- The bill will take away health care from 32 million Americans, including over 243,000 Nevadans.
- Graham-Cassidy threatens the health care of 638,000 Nevadans covered under Medicaid.
- The bill will disrupt health care delivery at community health centers and rural hospitals by driving out insurers and raising costs.