WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) issued the following statement today after a lawsuit was filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Health Law Program and the Kentucky Equal Justice Center to prevent Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin from implementing a Medicaid work requirement:
“Gov. Matt Bevin should be applauded for attempting to rein in the out-of-control costs of the Medicaid program. Instead, he’s being sued,” said Sen. Kennedy. “A work requirement for Medicaid doesn’t ask mothers with children in their arms to work. It doesn’t ask the elderly to work. It simply asks able-bodied adults to get a job, enroll in job training or do volunteer work in order to receive tax-payer funded Medicaid. I don’t think that’s asking too much. Medicaid is supposed to help able-bodied adults become healthy and sufficient and be an off-ramp from poverty, not a parking lot. A work requirement is a helping hand, not a slap in the face, and I support Gov. Bevin’s efforts to make it a reality.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) thanked his colleagues today for working together to achieve long-term security for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, also called CHIP, by acting quickly to end the ill-advised government shutdown.
Under the spending plan approved Monday, CHIP will be renewed for six years. CHIP was created with bipartisan support and currently covers basic medical costs for at least 122,000 children across Louisiana. According to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC), the federal government contributed $325.6 million and the state contributed $18.4 million to the CHIP program in federal fiscal year 2016
“My Democratic friends did not have a Lincoln moment when they decided to shut down the entire U.S. government and turn children’s health insurance into a hostage. Fortunately, good sense eventually prevailed,” said Sen. Kennedy. “CHIP now has long-term security, ensuring that kids can get the health care they need to grow into healthy adults.”
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Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.): “Still Looking For An Explanation On Why Democrats Shut Down The Government”
Jan 22 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) issued the following statement today after voting for the three-week federal government funding bill, which includes the long-term reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP):
“This type of bi-partisan bickering is a disservice to the American people. While I am happy that my Democratic colleagues have finally agreed to stop taking the federal government hostage, I’m left wondering how we got there in the first place,” said Sen. Kennedy. “I have always said that there better be an emergency to shut down government. I am still waiting on someone to tell me what that emergency was. Hopefully, we can use this opportunity in the coming days to address the numerous immigration problems facing our country, including border security, the diversity visa lottery and DACA.”
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Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.): Democrats Should Be Ashamed Of Themselves For Shutting Down Federal Government
Jan 20 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) issued the following statement today after Democrats blocked the government funding bill and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) reauthorization:
“This is an embarrassment to Congress, democracy and the United States of America. If you shut down government, you’d better have a good reason for doing it. I defy any Democrat to explain why it was so important to ask our military to sacrifice their pay, furlough hundreds of thousands of workers and reject a long-term renewal of the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” said Sen. Kennedy. “They need to get their heads out of the sand and do what’s best for this country.”
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Sen. Kennedy: Gov. Edwards Should Push Fellow Democrats To Embrace Long-term CHIP Renewal
Jan 19 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) urged Gov. John Bel Edwards today to rally support among his fellow Democratic governors and leaders for the continuing resolution that includes six years of funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
“The Democrats are threatening to shut down government at the expense of a program that ensures more than 120,000 children in Louisiana receive basic medical care. This is petty politics that is pitting long-term health insurance for kids against a silly political squabble,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Gov. Edwards and I agree on the importance of CHIP, and I urge him to make the case to his fellow Democrats.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act today to make it illegal to abort an unborn child because of gender. The bill introduction coincides with the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
“All human life is a blessing from God,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It is simply unconscionable that anyone would abort a child simply because they didn’t get the gender they wanted. That’s why I introduced the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act to put a stop to sex-selective abortions. All life is precious, and it needs to be protected.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La) issued the following statement today in honor of the 45th annual March for Life:
“As you all may know, the 45th annual March for Life is taking place tomorrow here in Washington, D.C. The right to life is our most basic right, and I firmly believe that every life is a precious gift from God, whether it is 84 years old or 84 seconds old,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s not always easy or comfortable to stand up for what is right, and I want to thank everyone who marches for those who can’t stand up for themselves, just yet.”
Sen. Kennedy’s full remarks can be viewed by clicking here or the image below:
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) announced today that the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will receive $6.3 million in funding to repair school buildings and equipment damaged by the 2016 flooding.
“The floods were devastating, and the school system needs help to recover,” said Sen. Kennedy. “The flooding was especially bad at Glen Oaks High School. This money will help the high school repair multiple damaged buildings.”
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will receive:
- $4.4 million to repair damaged buildings at Glen Oaks High School.
- $1.9 million to replace damaged information technology equipment at 12 flood-damaged facilities.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La) sent a letter to Gov. John Bel Edwards today requesting a meeting with him and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to help expedite a waiver to institute work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients.
“I am encouraged that Gov. Edwards is considering work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients,” said Sen. Kennedy. “With the Legislature’s leaders taking a strong stand in support of requirements, coupled with the governor’s willingness to consider them, we are closer than ever. But we have to work together to get it across the finish line. I look forward to meeting with Gov. Edwards and Administrator Verma soon to help smooth and expedite the process. ”
Sen. Kennedy introduced a bill last year, the Medicaid Reform and Personal Responsibility Act, which would require adults between the ages of 18 and 55, who have no dependents and are not disabled, to spend 20 hours a week working in a job, going to school or doing community service in order to continue to receive free health care through Medicaid.
The text of Sen. Kennedy’s letter to Gov. Edwards can be found below:
January 16, 2018
The Honorable John Bel Edwards
Governor
State of Louisiana
P.O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804
By email, fax, and U.S. mail
Dear Governor Edwards:
It is my understanding that your administration is actively working to impose work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients. Louisiana needs to quickly impose this work requirement. In fact, Louisiana needs to have a proposal on the table well before Easter.
As you know, Kentucky recently became the first state to adopt Medicaid work requirements after its application was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 12. To date, CMS has received proposals from nine other states: Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin.
To further your administration’s progress and to expedite the waiver approval process, I respectfully request a meeting with you, CMS Administrator Seema Verma, and myself. The consultant the state recently hired is also welcome to join the meeting. My hope is that, together, we can get Louisiana’s waiver approved within 60 days of our meeting.
I can work with your office to identify possible dates for a meeting in Washington, D.C. If you are unable to meet, my hope is that you will consider putting this issue into your call for a special session.
Thank you, Governor, for your consideration of this request. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Kennedy
United States Senator
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La) today issued a statement in reaction to the House of Representatives passing Rep. Clay Higgins’ bill, H.R. 4564 the Post Caliphate Threat Assessment Act of 2017. His bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, and the Director of National Intelligence to issue a detailed report of terrorist movements to Congress.
“I would like to thank Rep. Higgins for his tireless work in defending our country against terrorism,” said Sen. John Kennedy. “His legislation will put the United States one step closer towards winning the war on terrorism.”
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