Senator Hassan Denounces Cuts to Medicaid, Efforts to Overturn Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) pressed Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar for answers at a Senate Finance Committee hearing on why the Administration proposed almost $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and why the Administration continues to push a lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, including its protections for those with pre-existing conditions. Senator Hassan also highlighted the impacts that these actions would have on Granite Staters, including Ashley Raymond of Enfield, NH, who accesses substance use disorder treatment through Medicaid.

In addition to yesterday’s hearing, Senator Hassan joined Finance Committee members in sending a letter to Secretary Azar denouncing the cuts to Medicaid. “This Administration in coordination with your Department has taken every opportunity to try to gut Medicaid and put critical health coverage for millions of vulnerable Americans on the chopping block,” the Senators wrote. “It is time for the Trump Administration’s ongoing assault on the Medicaid program to end. The public has spoken loud and clear – Medicaid serves as a lifeline to millions of Americans and their loved ones, and they do not want to see it block granted, capped, or gutted.” 

See highlights from WCAX’s coverage below, and you can watch the full piece here.

WCAX: President Trump's proposed 2021 budget would cut almost a trillion dollars from Medicaid.

Today at a hearing on the proposal, New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan challenged Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar over the cuts.

Hassan says 4 in 10 adults with substance abuse disorder rely on Medicaid for things like naloxone, medication assisted treatment, residential rehab, and outpatient therapy.

She told the story of Ashley Raymond from Enfield, New Hampshire who started using opioids at 15 and wasn't able to access treatment until she got coverage through Medicaid. She also asked about the Administration's attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act and whether the White House would guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions like substance abuse disorder, pregnancy, diabetes and heart disease. 

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