July 18th, 2011

The Hill reports:

Medicaid advocates remain worried that the state-federal program for low-income Americans remains on the chopping block as debt ceiling negotiations enter the final stretch.

Congressional Democrats’ on-again, off-again pledge to protect the program from drastic cuts is causing heartburn among advocates for the poor and state officials who worry about the lawmakers’ commitment. In particular, the Democratic leadership has at times left out any mention of Medicaid when vowing to fight entitlement cuts.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rekindled some of those concerns with her statement Thursday evening after negotiations hosted by President Obama broke down.

“After several days of comprehensive discussions, the President asked the bicameral, bipartisan leadership to go to our respective caucuses to see what could be passed. I told the President that the House Democratic Caucus stands with him in support of the ‘grand bargain‚’ saving up to $4 trillion while avoiding an unprecedented default crisis,” Pelosi said.

“House Democrats want a final agreement that reflects the ‘grand bargain‚’ while protecting Social Security and Medicare benefits. Democrats are committed to ensuring that our nation meets its obligations by working toward a long term plan to reduce the deficit, create jobs, grow the economy and strengthen the middle class.”

For the rest of the article, read The Hill