Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), appeared on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins to discuss the ongoing budget negotiations between Senate Republicans and Democrats, as well as issues surrounding rural healthcare.

During the interview, Senator Marshall commented on the likelihood of a government shutdown, stating, “Well, Vegas is now saying 70 to 30 odds. I’m eternally hopeful. I think I would bet against it. I’m going to bet that will probably shut down, but I’m going to hopefully work if there’s an opportunity. Look, the Republicans want to keep the government open, but they also want to work towards a responsible budget.

“We think it doesn’t make any sense to us when we’re… asking Democrats to extend the budget they all voted for just last December. But instead, they want an additional $1.5 trillion, and that doesn’t seem fair. It doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.”

Addressing proposed cuts and demands from Senate Democrats regarding healthcare subsidies introduced during the Covid era, Marshall said: “Well, I think that we should negotiate this thing out. And I think if the issue is like they’re saying, it’s the advanced extra subsidies from the Covid era that they’re worried about, we should talk about this. This isn’t all the subsidies. This is just a small fraction of them that came about in 2021. Look, this is meant to be for people with less than 400% poverty level. And instead, most of those extended subsidies are for people making over 400% poverty level.”

When asked whether he supports ending these healthcare subsidies entirely or limiting them based on income levels as originally intended under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Marshall stated: “Look, I’m going to negotiate about it. I would prefer to end them as they are. But certainly, if we’re going to continue, let’s go back to the way the AC was written, which was for people that were making less than 400% of the poverty level. I think that we need to make sure that we prioritize the help for the people who need it the most. Republicans want to help everybody. We want to make sure everybody has healthcare. Let’s make sure the ones that need it the most get the help.”

On rural hospital funding and Democratic proposals related thereto, Marshall remarked: “97% of rural counties voted for President Trump. Every time I see him, he asks me how is rural America doing? So he knows full well what’s going on there. I think what’s ironic is why do Democrats want to take away the $50 billion rural transformation fund if they want to help rural hospitals? Why do they want to take that away at this late hour?

“And if rural hospitals are having any problems now or next year, that’s on the back of Democrat ACA policy. The ACA has been law now for 15 years... So it just seems very disingenuous for Democrats to be blaming President Trump for these rural hospital struggles... The reason rural hospitals are struggling is because of bad economy... because they've lost 30 or 50% of their population.”

Discussing Medicaid funding's impact on rural hospitals specifically and potential cuts’ effects: “I think it’s because they don’t understand rural hospitals,” Marshall said regarding his Democratic colleagues' position on Medicaid funding levels.

“Only 5% of Medicaid funding go(es) [sic]to rural hospitals," he added."We lose money on every Medicaid patient... Instead,the goal would be toget people off Medicaid.Let's help them find a job where they get insurance that helps contribute tothe bottom line.But Medicaid isa loser forevery hospital,and again,such a small amountofit goes torural hospitals,and that's why we're working so hard tomake surethis transformation Fund helps us gettothat next level…”

“…with all due respect,this isa very small amountoffunding... If agricultureis struggling,rural Americais goingto struggle.Medicaid issucha small amount it's not helping.And again,you lose money onevery Medicaid patient.You wanttoconvert peoplefromMedicaidto jobswith health insurancethat helps coverthe real bills.”

Regarding recent social media posts by President Trump relating tothe statusofthe negotiationsand Democratic leadersin Congress—particularlya video involving House Minority Leader Hakeem JeffriesandSenate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer—Marshall responded:

“Look,Ithink sometimes,the President plays withthe presslikea little boy anda flashlight anda dog.He's shiningthe flashlighthere,and he's shiningit there.What he's sayingisthis offerfromthe Democratsis ridiculous.$1 .5 dollars ontopoftheresources they've already agreedto.What they're askingforiscompletely ridiculous.It’s disingenuous.And thenforthe Democratstositthereand blameRepublicansforthe plightofrural hospitalsisjust sowrong.The problemswithruralhospitalswouldbetheirpolicy,nours.”

Collins pressed furtheronwhetherMarshall objectedtothePresident'svideo;Marshall replied,“Ithinkit'ssaid injest.Ithinkit'sthePresidentmaking funofa coupleofpeoplethat didn't bringa serious requesttotheWhiteHouse.”