2020 Gumbo Final - Book - Page 35
choose?
life begins at conception,” Abraham said. “A life is a
life, and the decision is between the woman and her
husband.”Edwards emphasized that he is pro-life,
which is backed by his Catholic faith. He said the only
way the state would change its current abortion laws,
including the “heartbeat” abortion bill Edwards signed,
is if forced by the court.
The next question was on the issue of Medicaid
expansion. “Look, I’m a family doctor. He’s a trial
lawyer,” Abraham said in reference to Edwards.
Abraham said the Medicaid expansion under
Edwards was “a nightmare” and vowed to fix the
state’s program. He also criticized Edwards for firing
an MCO for donating to Republicans. Edwards said
Abraham’s statements were false, and the decision
was made long before the donation came to light.
Edwards also said the MCO donated to both parties.
Edwards was then asked if he stands by his team’s
work, and if he would make any changes. He said he
stood by his team and Medicaid and referenced a
cancer survivor in the audience who needed Medicaid.
Rispone said the state’s current Medicaid program is
“unsustainable” and needs revision.
When asked about Medicaid job requirements,
Edwards said he supported community engagement
for everyone on Medicaid. Edwards then attacked
Abraham for missing more days in Congress than
any other Congressman while supporting stricter
Medicaid job requirements. The banter between the
candidates elicited cheers in the crowd. Rispone
asked if he could answer the question on Medicaid,
repeating that he was a businessman. “They want a
job. They don’t want to be on Medicaid,” Rispone said.
“I would not be bragging about putting 500,000 more
people on Medicaid. I’d be bragging about getting
them off Medicaid,”Abraham said he supports work
requirements for Medicaid users that are over 18 years
old, don’t have children and are not pregnant.
Congressman Ralph
Abraham speaks during
the Gubernatorial
debate on Thursday,
Aug. 19, 2o19, in the
Student Union Theater
Governor John
Bel Edwards
speaks during the
Gubernatorial debate
on Thursday, Aug. 19,
2o19, in the Student
Union Theater
Candidate Eddie
Rispone speaks
during the
Gubernatorial
debate on Thursday,
Aug. 19, 2o19, in
the Student Union
Theater
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