March 06, 2025

Chairman Aguilar: Republican cuts to Medicaid would hurt kids, parents and seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a hearing examining the negative impacts of the Republican Budget’s cut to Medicaid.

CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: Madam Chair, I want to thank you and the Steering and Policy Co-Chairs for organizing this event. Thank you to Ranking Member Pallone, as well. 

As we just saw, Medicaid ensures that our friends and neighbors in every corner of the country have access to affordable health care. Cuts to this program would have a ripple effect that impacts the entire health care system, driving up costs and preventing people from getting the health care that they need. The Republican budget takes an ax to Medicaid, with nearly $1 trillion in cuts. And despite what Republicans claim, there is no way to make those cuts without hurting kids, parents and seniors who count on Medicaid. 

Today, our first witness is Kody Kinsley. Mr. Kinsley served as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in the state of North Carolina. In that capacity, Secretary Kinsley oversaw North Carolina’s Medicaid program, which covers more than 2 million people, including more than 40 percent of North Carolina’s kids. Under Secretary Kinsley’s leadership, and alongside a Democratic Governor and a Republican legislature, North Carolina expanded Medicaid to give health care to more than 600,000 people. Secretary Kinsley is a Senior Advisor currently with the Milken Institute, a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Civil Society Fellowship and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Before serving in state government in his home state of North Carolina, Secretary Kinsley served as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

Secretary Kinsley, you are recognized. Thank you for being here. 

Video of the full hearing can be viewed here.

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