AFSCME - Statement of Gerald W. McEntee on the Smith-Bingaman Medicaid Amendment

Today a handful of courageous Republicans stood with the Senate Democrats to block President Bush’s cruel and misguided Medicaid cuts. These cuts would have denied families the health care they need and deserve. The passage of the Smith-Bingaman amendment is a victory for the 51 million elderly and low income families that depend on the critical services Medicaid provides. The amendment provides much needed relief to state and local governments that would have been left to fill the huge financial shortfall created by Bush’s $15 billion dollar cut.

AFSCME’s 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations – from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers – AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

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American Federation of State, County
and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
1625 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036-5687
Telephone (202) 429-1145
Fax (202) 429-1120