WATCH: Pappas Speaks in Opposition to Republicans’ Proposal to Gut Medicaid

This morning at 1:45 AM, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) delivered the following remarks on the House floor before voting against Republicans’ reconciliation bill: 

“I rise tonight because health care is on the line, and so is the well-being and the dignity of the people I serve in New Hampshire. 

The phones in my office won’t stop ringing because people I represent are beyond angry about the proposal to slash Medicaid. 

Last week, I sat down with a constituent, Donka Facciolo of Laconia. She lives with a disability, and thanks to Medicaid, she receives skilled nursing, transportation, and employment support. Because of that help, she can live on her own. And another constituent that I met, Kevin Brett, told me the same. Without Medicaid, he’s not sure where he’d go. Parents of individuals with disabilities have told me that they could lose in-home care for their kids, and in doing so they’d be forced to quit their jobs. What kind of choice is that for these parents?

Slashing Medicaid is cruel. It would take away Granite Staters’ ability to receive care, their chance to work, it would rob them of their independence. And we know that it’s all being ripped away in order to give big tax breaks to billionaires and the biggest corporations.

So I’m a no on this reckless scheme. I urge my colleagues to vote no as well.”