Washington, D.C. — In his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention, former President Bill Clinton reminded Americans that Republican candidates Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) intend to cut not only Medicare, but also Medicaid, a program of critical importance to our nation’s children, elderly, and disabled. Neera Tanden, Counselor to the Center for American Progress Action Fund, released the following statement:
Last night, President Clinton reminded the country that the Romney-Ryan plan would slash federal Medicaid spending by one-third over the next 10 years. The brunt of these cuts will be borne by elderly and disabled Americans, who receive two-thirds of all Medicaid benefits. Millions of seniors who rely on Medicaid to pay for nursing homes and other long-term care would see their benefits drop by an average of $2,500 a year. Millions of poor children would also lose critical health coverage. To look into the eyes of a poor child and say we can’t afford health care for her, but we can afford massive tax cuts for the well off and well connected is not politically courageous. It is cruel. The Romney-Ryan plan will not move us forward, it will only take us backward.
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