Local leaders respond to potential Medicaid cuts
They worry state and local costs will skyrocket if the federal government makes proposed changes to how the program works.
One of the proposed changes involves charging low-income patients a co-pay of as much as $35 for certain medical appointments.
Hartford HealthCare introduces 'Empowering New Parents' program
'What this does is act as a barrier,' said Griffin Hospital CEO Patrick Charmel. 'People will see they have an out-of-pocket responsibility and just won't pursue the care that they need.'
Eventually, he said, those people will end up in the emergency room, which ends up costing more. The Trump administration contends their changes will lower insurance premiums, but Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT3) disagrees.
'Premiums for individual plans sold on Access Health CT will increase by as much as 25% next year,' DeLauro said.
DeLauro says proposed cuts threaten access to health care for nearly 14 million people nationwide. A white house spokesman had a different take in an emailed statement.
'President Trump pledged to protect and preserve Medicaid, and that's exactly what The One, Big, Beautiful accomplishes by kicking illegal immigrants off the program, implementing commonsense work requirements, and enforcing basic eligibility verification to combat fraud,' wrote spokesman Kush Desai.
Hartford HealthCare and Pfizer partner to tackle workplace migraines
For those not on Medicaid, they may wonder why they should care about these cuts. Hospitals have to provide care to everybody who needs it, whether they can pay for it or not.
If there is less money from the government coming in to pay for low-income patients, that means hospitals that are already stretched thin financially, could find themselves in serious financial trouble.
'Cuts to programs that support our communities like Medicaid will stress that ecosystem further and bring changes, challenges and collapses to some of our critical infrastructure across the state of Connecticut,' said Dr. Tom Balcezak, EVP & Chief Clinical Officer, Yale New Haven Health System.
Which, they say, means fewer people seeing fewer doctors.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
ODNI 2.0: With Trump's ‘Greenlight' Gabbard Launches Historic Intel Overhaul
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Vox
26 minutes ago
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Want your company's merger approved? Pay a MAGA influencer.
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The Hill
28 minutes ago
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Churches step up for left-behind students — legislation can help us reach more
Gospel music lifts us. Education should do the same, yet too many children are stuck in school districts that fail to elevate their potential. That's why, as faith leaders and longtime advocates for children, we supported Congress's effort to send the Educational Choice for Children Act to the president as part of the budget bill. It stands to uplift struggling students by offering tax credits for those who donate money for educational scholarships. Families can use these scholarships on things like tuition, books and programming. It will also empower trusted community institutions — like churches — to help kids discover and walk in their purpose. When you grow up in under-resourced communities like ours — Harrisburg, Pa., and Gary, Ind. — you know when the school system doesn't work, the streets step in. And what the street teaches can be deadly. A child who doesn't finish high school is 3.5 times more likely to be arrested and also more likely to die a violent death. We have both been to those funerals. For 35 years, I (James) have also served as a foster parent, offering children a safe, loving home and advocating for my foster kids' unique needs. I have pleaded with their principals for support, only to be met with apologies and excuses from a system that is failing. I have felt trapped by my zip code and frustrated watching my child excluded from alternative learning opportunities. I have also sat in a courtroom, watching my son face a sentence that could take away most of his life. I thought about that little boy who once dreamed of being a fashion designer and remembered all the times I pleaded with his school to see the gifts in him — and how they just didn't have what he needed. If we had educational freedom back then, I believe my son's story could have been different. I grieve for what he has lost and pray that with the Educational Choice for Children Act in place, we can finally break the cycle. We are already doing this in Pennsylvania, where pastors are uniting to make 'Every Church a School.' From Harrisburg to York to Philadelphia, we're opening learning centers in churches that combine online education, mentorship, and wraparound support to help students learn and chase their dreams — right where our kids are, before it's too late. We know this model works. In the Rock City Learning Center in Harrisburg, for example, not a single child is scoring under 71 percent. Students come to us barely reading, with failing grades, and we help them heal. We have seen what is possible when community institutions step in the gap for our children, and we are just getting started. Our vision is to help churches nationwide launch their own private schools, academic learning centers, after-school programs and summer enrichment projects that help kids find their calling and succeed in today's world. Imagine your church offering quality education paired with an after-school music program — one that offers children a creative refuge where they can sing, direct choirs, play instruments and learn the music business. And it wouldn't take a dollar away from children who enjoy traditional public schools. With the Educational Choice for Children Act bill in place, we can turn this dream into a reality. The Educational Choice for Children Act would finally give parents a choice. It would ensure that every child has access to the classroom that truly fits them, and equip church leaders with the resources needed to uplift our communities through education tailored to the needs of our communities. If we build these schools, more professionals will step up to teach and give back. We have the vision — we just need the flexibility and resources. The Educational Choice for Children Act offers both. Earlier this summer, more than 1,000 Philadelphians gathered for a townhall led by Black Pastors United for Education, hosted by Meta Washington, and featuring renowned gospel singers at New Covenant Church in Mount Airy. We learned about this topic, sang and prayed for the Educational Choice for Children Act to become a reality. A similar gathering was held in Arizona in May. We preached and sang at both. Change is coming. It's on us — as trustees of our children's futures — to make sure of it. Rev. Joshua C. Robertson is the Senior Pastor of The Rock Church in Harrisburg, Pa., and CEO and Founder of the Black Pastors United for Education. James Grear is a chart-topping gospel musician and founder of the award-nominated vocal ensemble, James Grear and Company.
