Senators: Protect Entitlements
Hirono and Schatz of Hawaii join 19 of their colleagues in asking Trump to protect Medicare and Medicaid.
U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, Democrats of Hawaii, are among a group of their colleagues who have called on President-elect Donald Trump to protect Medicare and Medicaid and not cut it, “as his recent actions have suggested he might do.”
In a recent letter to Trump, the senators “raised concerns” over his choice for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Rep. Tom Price, and “language on the transition website” that calls for changes to Medicare and Medicaid.
The senators wrote:
“Over one hundred million Americans rely on these programs for health care. Low-income children and families and people with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries of Medicaid. Millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities have earned and rely on their Medicare benefits. “Medicaid is the only assistance available to millions of low and middle-income families who have a loved one requiring nursing home care. As you noted when you extolled their benefits on your campaign website, cutting these programs would be devastating.”
According to a press release from Schatz’s office, nearly 245,000 people in Hawaii are Medicare beneficiaries and more than 300,000 Hawaii residents are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP.
“Since its creation, these programs have provided vital health care services for seniors and families in need,” the release states.
In addition to Schatz and Hirono, the letter was signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
