Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas discussed a range of healthcare and political issues during an appearance on the Joe Pags Show. The conversation addressed the state of rural hospitals, Medicaid policy, VA care, healthcare transparency, and the recent Russia misinformation report by DNI Tulsi Gabbard.

Senator Marshall highlighted his experience as a physician in rural Kansas and described economic challenges facing rural hospitals. He stated that many counties have lost significant population to larger cities, contributing to the financial difficulties of local medical facilities. “This is one of my favorite topics. You know, I practiced medicine for 25 years in one of these rural hospitals. I helped run the hospital, delivered a baby every day in one of these hospitals for 25 years. You know, the challenge right now for rural hospitals is the rural economy. We have many counties that have lost half their population. They’re all moving to big, wonderful cities like Kansas City and Wichita. So the rural economy is really struggling. Only 5% of Medicaid dollars ever make it to rural America. So yes, 60% of rural hospitals are really struggling.

And enter the One Big, Beautiful Bill – we try to help the rural economy by helping out with crop insurance, reference prices, doubling the death tax, and some of those types of business tax issues as well. So I think it’s the economy, right?”

Marshall also criticized what he described as Democratic control over messaging regarding Medicaid and rural healthcare issues: “Joe, I think the left controls 90% of the message. They control the national media; it is that simple. But I came to Washington, DC, to save healthcare, and I think that we’ve saved Medicaid. For now, we’ve saved it. We put it back on solid financial footing so that Medicaid is there for those who need it the most. For senior citizens in nursing homes, for people with disabilities, for pregnant women, for children.

“No one’s going to lose Medicaid unless they’re on it illegally, and there are 2 million people on it illegally right now. 2 million people getting it from two states right now. And then, the only other people that will lose their Medicaid are people that refuse to work. And all we’re asking is people work for 20 hours a week. When did having a job, when was that considered punishment? Why is that a bad thing?

“I’m going to give you one more stat Joe is that 20 years ago there was only 7 million healthy people on Medicaid Today there’s 34 million healthy people on Medicaid Let’s help those people find a job Let’s give them education Let’s help give them a hand up and not a handout.”

He stressed verifying eligibility status for those receiving Medicaid benefits: “So this would be Medicaid expansion as you know it So Medicaid expansion gives Medicaid to healthy people that are above the poverty line And then they stopped really doing any types of checks and balances on people People could just walk in and say I don’t have a job I’m not making any money they would never verify it But we had technology data actually verify those things pretty easily and then we would just check things once a year So I understand look I want to help medicate people out I want to make sure no one goes to bed hungry but this idea of just checking people once a year not verifying their story is just dishonest.”

On veterans’ care at VA facilities Marshall said improvements seen under former President Trump have stalled or reversed: “So Joe again what’s important to me my dad served my brother served I served my son is serving everyone Every generation of my family someone has served I want to make sure that we fulfill the promise we made to veterans but it’s been done inefficiently It’s amazing when President Trump 45 was in office the wait times went down for our veterans the care was going up and patient satisfaction was going up

But under Joe Biden they hired more and more administrator-type of people And now President Trump went in there and said ‘we don’t want all this bloated administration’ There’s hundreds of billions of dollars that we’re increasing every year for veterans We want to make sure it’s patient interfacing So it’s counselors nurses physical therapists Those are the people we want We don’t want more and more bureaucrats setting up here in VA here in Washington DC”

Discussing possible replacements or reforms related to Obamacare Marshall emphasized cost transparency innovation consumer choice legislation targeting medical billing practices such as prior authorization restrictions has been introduced: “Absolutely and we’ve had these conversations My big three themes for fixing health care when I came here was anything that makes health care more transparent anything that promotes innovation and anything that makes patients consumers again would drive down cost… making hospitals show you what they’re going charge you… so consumers can shop more.

“So our big thrust…is codifying what President Trump’s executive orders are… issue called prior authorization where Medicare Advantage companies especially are trying prevent patients from getting care they need

“So…I’m very proud work beside Dr Oz Dr McCary over FDA as well Secretary Kennedy”

He also commented on consolidation within healthcare stating insurance companies large hospital systems benefit from regulation-driven monopolies which limit competition among providers: “Joe I'm not sure if have great answer can certainly tell believe insurance companies big hospitals wrote ACA knew exactly what doing Through years increased regulations led monopolies...physicians would like own hospitals Hospitals can own physicians but physicians cannot own hospitals...that outlawed by ACA...overregulation...lead consolidation industry get them more free rein”

Marshall expressed support for ongoing efforts by HHS Secretary Kennedy focused on chronic disease prevention nutritional strategies agricultural best practices reducing chemical use regenerative farming methods: “Well think we're just getting started again Backdrop...60% Americans chronic disease We're spending 90% healthcare dollars chronic diseases...think there's significant nutritional component all those...I've grown up agriculture...as listened MAHA listened American farmers said Where meet How get healthy food Well starts with healthy soil It's kind dirty topic if you will but that's focus That's working with Secretary Kennedy Secretary Rollins Agriculture who's doing incredible job trying work farmers make healthier soil which lead healthy food healthy people By way American farmers doing so many great things already area...

“Been sharing Secretary Kennedy best practices growing more less Decreasing by 90% amount fertilizer pesticides leaving field Decreasing amount putting by 60% through modern-day agriculture practices Working transition get everybody practicing regenerative agriculture”

Addressing recent developments surrounding Russia misinformation allegations reported by DNI Tulsi Gabbard Marshall said documentation links key political figures including former President Obama former Vice President Biden directly Oval Office meeting about matter characterizing revelations as highly damaging public trust: “Joe this certainly new information me This White House meeting documentation meeting adds Joe Biden's name being meeting well And think document shows greatest betrayal American trust my lifetime And you're out there your listeners right now you're sitting thinking well Democrats lied us about COVID lied us about Joe Biden's health And here's his Royal Highness Barack Obama he lied us as well really organized fraud what happened this Russia Russia Russia hoax

“And certainly FISA court abuse knew all about but this news me actually trace all way back one Oval Office meeting absolutely contradicted intelligence community saying Think that's accurate”

He called congressional investigations into matter necessary adding Justice Department should pursue criminal prosecution where appropriate: “Yeah Joe think it's all above Certainly need Justice Department go full speed ahead do whatever can do Meanwhile House Senate both investigative committees James Comer leads over House side Rand Paul here Senate side Ron Johnson also subcommittee can focus well All needs happen Congress's job expose everything then let Justice Department prosecute

“But regardless where goes Joe think story here me betrayal American trust physician One first things learned once lose reputation never get back Americans don't trust federal government right now why would they right So I'm trying work day night help restore trust but think Democrats just keep digging digging hole further deeper You know first thing need do when you're hole stop digging And here they are again once again deep deep hole”

Marshall responded directly calls among conservatives for legal consequences stating frustration remains widespread over past scandals such as FISA abuses Clinton email controversy: “Joe sure hope so Just want tell sound like wife Sound like mom dad They say why isn't somebody handcuffs Everything Hillary Clinton did erase emails FISA court abuse I'm not satisfied judges should paid price Everyone involved food chain FISA court abuse should fired minimum Maybe one person went jail recall

“So here we are next chapter FISA court abuse think that's gives story legs dove into story dove into story saying my gosh how did do this How did fall without orchestrating Sure hope so Not person overpromise underdeliver Do think Pam Bondi serious She would love throw someone jail feeling Tulsi Gabbard would well”

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