Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-7) released the following statement after the Alabama State House passed a General Fund Budget that includes a $156 million cut to the state Medicaid Agency:

“I am outraged that the Alabama State House of Representatives cut $156 million from the Alabama Medicaid Agency. This is a fiscally and morally deplorable way to cover the state’s budget shortfall. The impact on Children’s Hospital, rural hospitals and nursing homes would be devastating, if not fatal.  

If the state legislature wants to get serious about fixing Alabama’s economic woes, lawmakers should urge the governor to expand Medicaid. The decision to not expand Medicaid will cost the state $3.63 billion in federal funding, 15,100 jobs, and $2.6 billion in increased economic activity through 2017.

I am hopeful that this budget proposal will not pass in the Senate and that both chambers will come to an agreement on a budget that isn’t balanced on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.”

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