DNC Chair: ‘My Son Is on the Autism Spectrum,’ and If I Lose Medicaid, ‘I’m Going To Have To Institutionalize Him’

CHUCK TODD: Alright, let me let you respond to that.

TOM PEREZ: Chuck, I mean this is really important. The Affordable Care Act saved lives. I spoke to people; I get approached by people every day. My son is on the autism spectrum, and if I lose the coverage under Medicaid, I’m going to have to institutionalize him. We talk about the opioid epidemic, and roughly a third of the coverage for opioid victims is through Medicaid. And, they want to change Medicaid as we know it. This week, or so, you’ll see a bill to add $45 billion to combat opioid abuse. That’s like taking a dollar away, and then saying I’ll give you 20 cents back. That’s not going to help people. That’s like going to a five alarm fire, Chuck.