Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) condemned the fact that people with disabilities will suffer if any of the Republican bills to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act become law.
“Medicaid covers 30% of all adults with disabilities and 60% of all children with disabilities in the United States. It provides the medical devices and personal care that disabled Americans need to stay active and able to live healthy, normal lives,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “The Republican House and Senate bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act call for deep cuts to this program that would leave many disabled Americans without healthcare, leading many to be unable to live independently or remain in their homes and communities. We cannot turn our backs on those who need our support just to give insurance companies and high earners a big tax break.”
In Nevada, Medicaid plays an important role in helping school districts, nursing homes, and local programs meet the needs of people with disabilities. The superintendents of three Nevada school districts, two county health districts, and dozens of faith leaders recently sent letters to Cortez Masto outlining their concern that cuts to Medicaid would impede their ability to provide disabled people with the resources they need to thrive and succeed.
Cortez Masto pledged to fight cuts to Medicaid and any proposal that would strip critical services from Nevadans with special needs.