Horsford Warns NV Legislature of GOP Medicaid Cuts

CARSON CITY, NV – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today addressed the Nevada State Legislature and warned of a budget proposal Congressional Republicans are pushing right now that would slash federal Medicaid funding to pay for massive corporate tax breaks. 

A recent study found as many as 320,000 Nevadans – 42 percent of all enrollees in our state – would lose coverage if the proposal is passed into law.

Key excerpt from Rep. Horsford’s remarks:

“Nevada has a history of bipartisan work when it comes to protecting and expanding access to Medicaid. But right now, that’s under real threat from the current House Republican budget proposal in Washington. The proposal adds$4.5 trillion to the deficit to pay for corporate tax cuts. And to cover that cost, they want to slash federal funding for Medicaid, nutrition programs, the VA, and other critical services.

“Here’s why that’s a problem we have to take on together. If the proposal passes, it will strip Nevada of the 90% federal funding match for Medicaid created by the Affordable Care Act. It will cost our state close to $700 million a year over the next decade. We can’t afford the capital costs – and we can’t afford the human toll either.” 

…

“A recent study found as many as 320,000Nevadans – more than 40 percent of all enrollees in our state – would lose coverage if the Congressional Republican budget proposal gets enacted. The choices leaders like us make affect REAL people and it’s important we center their stories. Those closest to the pain should be at the center of shaping policy. That’s the only way the changes that WE ALL seek can actually take hold and get implemented.” 

… 

“[A]s I return to Washington next week, I’ll be thinking about the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who could see their lives turned upside down by the Republican budget. I understand that the world’s moving fast right now – Horrific cuts to the federal workforce; The largest data breach in U.S. history taking place at this administration’s direction; Federal funding freezes undermining nonprofits and the people they serve; Tariff disputes threatening to raise prices across the board…But above all else, the Medicaid cuts will hit Nevada, and Nevadans, hardest.” 

Congressman Horsford’s remarks as prepared are included below. 

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Good evening, everyone. It’s great to be back in Carson City, and to see so many familiar faces. I’m Congressman Steven Horsford, and it’s my honor to address this 83^rd Legislative Session of the Nevada State Legislature. I want to thank Speaker Yeager and Senate Majority Leader Cannizzaro for the opportunity, as well as Governor Lombardo for joining us today. 

And I want to thank all of you for being here. I spent eight years serving in these halls. I know exactly how excited lawmakers are to pause their important work and hear from federal officials. You’re all polite, but you can’t fool me!  

So I’ll jump right in – but not before sending my thoughts to Senator Neal and her family. I was able to visit with her and her family before coming to Carson City this morning. I’m wishing her a strong recovery and I’m grateful to the medical professionals who made sure last night’s surgery was a success.  

Tonight, I’m not here to list achievements – I’m here with a warning for our state, and a path forward that puts every Nevadan first. I’m going to draw on the lessons I learned from my grandmother, Grace Dorothy. This April is 25 years since her passing, but I feel her presence now more than ever. 

Grace Dorothy had a severe stroke when I was just three weeks old. She fell into a coma, and when she emerged months later, the left side of her body was completely paralyzed. For my entire life, the grandmother I knew, and cared for, and who cared deeply for me couldn’t walk by my side; couldn’t walk at all; couldn’t hug me with her left arm; she could barely speak.  

When she wanted to say something to me…“Good morning”…or, “It’s cold in here, can we turn on the heat”…or simply, “I love you”…she had to write the words out with her finger – she could technically speak, but the pain made it too difficult.

Complications from the stroke forced Grace Dorothy to live in a nursing home for 27 years until she passed away in 2000. My visits to her were at her bedside, in nursing homes, as I grew from child to adult. From that experience, I learned what quality care looks like; what it sounds like; what it smells like. I know what bed sores are; whether a patient is cared for properly; and whether a facility is clean or not.

My grandmother didn’t have private insurance, so when they moved her from Southern Nevada Memorial, now UMC, they placed her in a convalescent home on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas. After that, the moves were to wherever beds were available. In the 80’s, she was even moved 100 miles out of Nevada to St. George, Utah because of state budget cutbacks. 

I didn’t understand it at the time, but I later learned that the only reason she had care at all was thanks to government support…thanks to Medicaid. When there were cutbacks or reductions to the program, it affected her health. It determined the number of nurses that cared for her and the quality of care she received. It caused tremendous stress, and guilt, for my mother. 

I share all of this for one simple reason: Right now, there are some 811,000 Grace Dorothy’s in Nevada – 811,000 people in our state who depend on Medicaid. And right now, they’re counting on their elected leaders to keep their coverage safe.

I get it – Government spending needs to come down. But it matters how we do it. I’m one of only two Democrats in the DOGE Caucus because I believe that we can root out waste, fraud, and abuse. I believe we should work together to make government work for our constituents. 

But, I’m also in the Caucus because I want Nevada to have a say in talks about cutting Medicaid and nutrition assistance, privatizing the VA, or changing the eligibility for Social Security. What’s the old phrase? …If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu. I’m not about to leave Nevadans on the menu, and I have the firsthand experience to back that up. 

In 2011, our state faced one of the worst budget challenges in our history. To right our ship, the governor at the time proposed across-the-board cuts to health and human services, mental health services and Medicaid – including nursing homes. I remember one of the budget hearings was about cutting diapers for seniors and other essential services…Diapers. 

I was the Senate Majority Leader at the time, and I knew we couldn’t cut the state budget on the backs of the most vulnerable people in our state. We had to work together to do better, and we did. We passed a bipartisan alternative state budget, overriding the Governor’s veto at the time. It didn’t eliminate all of the proposed cuts, but we kept the fabric of the state together without denying seniors on Medicaid dignified care – including those hotly contested diapers. 

So look: Nevada has a history of bipartisan work when it comes to protecting and expanding access to Medicaid. But right now, that’s under real threat from the current House Republican budget proposal in Washington. The proposal adds$4.5 trillion to the deficit to pay for corporate tax cuts. And to cover that cost, they want to slash federal funding for Medicaid, nutrition programs, the VA, and other critical services. 

Here’s why that’s a problem we have to take on together. If the proposal passes, it will strip Nevada of the 90% federal funding match for Medicaid created by the Affordable Care Act. It will cost our state close to $700 million a year over the next decade. We can’t afford the capital costs – and we can’t afford the human toll either. 

Remember: 811,000 Grace Dorothy’s counting on us in Nevada – Nearly 40 percent of all Nevada children…nearly 274,000 children…rely on Medicaid. 42 percent of moms giving birth and their newborn babies…rely on Medicaid…that’s more than 13,200 births in 2023 alone. More than 35 percent of working-age adults with disabilities…nearly 65,000 people…rely on Medicaid. 60 percent of people living in nursing homes…just like my grandmother…relyonMedicaid. 

A recent study found as many as 320,000Nevadans – more than 40 percent of all enrollees in our state – would lose coverage if the Congressional Republican budget proposal gets enacted. The choices leaders like us make affect REAL people and it’s important we center their stories. Those closest to the pain should be at the center of shaping policy. That’s the only way the changes that WE ALL seek can actually take hold and get implemented.  

That’s why I am listening and engaging my constituents from across the district to share what these devastating cuts would mean to them. Nurses and care coordinators in Pahrump at Nevada Health Center shared with me that they have NO birth center in their community and limited OB/GYN services. And at Hope Christian Center in North Las Vegas, another FQHC meeting the needs of thousands of patients who have diabetes and high blood pressure without proper coverage, the costs will continue to rise for taxpayers. Tribal leaders at Walker River Paiute are struggling to get care from Indian Health Services and depend on the Medicaid services on their tribal land. These are the people who will be affected and so many more like them if the House Republican budget passes and these cuts take effect.  

So what’s the alternative?

Like we showed here in Nevada, a group of bi-partisan members can lead the way. It only takes three Republicans to reject this chaotic and cruel approach and join in a bi-partisan coalition to keep the fabric of our country together. Three.

It can be done. Nevada was the first state with a Republican Governor, then Governor Sandoval, to implement Medicaid expansion after the Affordable Care Act passed. It reduced the uninsured rate in Nevada by a third. 563,000 children who were previously uninsured suddenly had coverage. 

So as I return to Washington next week, I’ll be thinking about the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who could see their lives turned upside down by the Republican budget. I understand that the world’s moving fast right now – Horrific cuts to the federal workforce; The largest data breach in U.S. history taking place at this administration’s direction; Federal funding freezes undermining nonprofits and the people they serve; Tariff disputes threatening to raise prices across the board…But above all else, the Medicaid cuts will hit Nevada, and Nevadans, hardest. 

I hear from hundreds of constituents calling and messaging my office every week. I will bring their voices…their concerns…and yes, their stories, with me to Capitol Hill. I know who I am fighting for…And I know why I’m fighting for them.

Grace Dorothy is no longer here for me to fight for her, but countless others are. They’re receiving care in nursing homes; Seeking health services at community health centers; They’re pregnant women in need of maternity care, and newborn babies just getting their start in this world. 

They are all of us, regardless of party, or whether they belong to a political party at all. 

I’m proud to fight for them, and proud to have each one of you as a colleague in this work. None of you would run for office and spend 120 days in this sometimes-maddening process, if you didn’t fundamentally believe you could improve the lives of your constituents.  

The issues before you are serious, and your leadership is critical.

We are battleborn…and battle tested. 

We will look back on this moment in history, and I have no doubt, it will be one that dictates the future of our state. If we stay united and center the lives of Nevadans, we may be able to avoid some of the worst budget challenges in our history. But, if we fall to partisan politics, you may see yourselves in special session after special session talking about things like diapers for seniors and prenatal care for mothers.  

I’m ready to fight, together. I hope you’ll join me. Thank you and goodnight