Pelosi: Bush Administration to Deny Health Coverage to Millions of Americans

January 4, 2008

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on Bush Administration plans to restrict states from expanding the eligibility for Medicaid, which would allow states to extend health care coverage to families with modest income:

'After twice vetoing bipartisan legislation to give 10 million children health insurance, the President has begun the new year by opposing health care for adults who are in need. The President is unlawfully restricting the ability of states to expand eligibility for Medicaid and denying millions of Americans health coverage.

'By blocking the efforts of both Republican and Democratic governors to expand coverage to uninsured adults and children, the Administration is placing additional barriers on retaining health care coverage, and hard working American families will suffer as a result.

'As more and more Americans are without health insurance, the Administration should partner with the Congress to make health care more affordable and accessible.

'With today's news of increased unemployment and with Americans feeling increasingly economically vulnerable, the Administration's action is exactly the wrong medicine.'