Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) appeared on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show to discuss the Republican reconciliation bill, which he says is designed to support President Trump’s policy agenda and make significant changes to Medicaid.

Marshall emphasized the bill’s alignment with former President Trump’s goals. “We just got to get this bill across the floor here. This is the start of a new golden era for Americans. This is President Trump’s agenda being laid out. This is going to fund President Trump’s agenda. If you supported President Trump, you should support this bill. It’s going to secure the border, it’s going to lower your taxes by $1,000 a month – we all need to rally behind it.”

Addressing concerns about Medicaid, Marshall disagreed with other lawmakers who have criticized the legislation. “I disagree with him [Senator Thom Tillis], respectfully disagree. This bill is going to strengthen Medicaid. We’re going to strengthen it for those who need it the most. We protect it for seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities, pregnant women – those types of folks. So, we protect it for them.

“And then for rural America, we’re going to have a special stabilization fund as well. There’s going to be work requirements, so as long as you’re willing to work 20 hours a week, and by the way, there are people back home harvesting wheat today that are working 20 hours a day. So, if you lose Medicaid, it’s on you. But we want to help people get jobs. I think this will strengthen Medicaid. I think overall, this is a step back in the right direction to Make America Healthy Again.”

He also explained how work requirements are intended as part of reforms: “.. A couple of points I just have to make Lawrence – you know, number one is there 7 million healthy American men out there, working age, that are not working, I’d love to help them find a job.

“Second point is this, we’re actually increasing funding for Medicaid. We’re increasing funding for Medicaid higher than the rate of inflation. We’re going to increase it to the tune of $200 billion a year when this is all said and done. So, when they talk about people not being on Medicaid anymore, half of those people are on it because of fraud or some type of abuse of the system.

“The other half is because they’re unwilling to work 20 hours a week. And you can volunteer, you can go to school. We want to help you find a job – a job brings dignity. It brings purpose. We’re all about people finding a great way to live that American Dream that President Trump talks about.”

The senator said rural areas would benefit from additional stabilization funds under the proposal and maintained that overall funding for Medicaid would rise above inflation rates.