Latest news with #MedicaidMatters
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Report: 366K+ Rhode Islanders would be impacted by proposed Medicaid cuts
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Protect Our Healthcare RI, which is a coalition of consumer and nonprofit organizations, unveiled a new factbook report Friday that stresses the importance of federal and state Medicaid spending. The 'Medicaid Matters for Rhode Island' factbook also highlights the significant impact that President Donald Trump's proposed spending cuts would have on the state's health care system. RELATED: GOP lawmakers block Trump's big tax breaks bill in a stunning setback The factbook notes that one in three Rhode Islanders — or approximately 366,082 — rely on Medicaid for primary, specialist and long term health care services. 'It's a third of our population. It's half our kids. It's two-thirds of the seniors in nursing homes,' Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said. 'A blow like that would take down our whole health care system.' Trump argues that the spending cuts were made in an effort to address waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid system. ALSO READ: RI lawmakers urged to pass health care reforms But Sen. Jack Reed doesn't agree. 'It's bologna,' Reed said. 'It would have incredible consequences — 10.6 million Americans would lose Medicaid.' Though House Republicans blocked Trump's proposed spending cuts Friday afternoon, their decision to do so was to demand further spending cuts to Medicaid. Originally, Republican lawmakers proposed requiring Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 64 to prove twice a year that they are working or volunteering. Exceptions to that rule would be for those with disabilities and eligible parents or guardians. But Medicaid recipients like Lev Poplow, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma for the second time, are worried they won't be able to meet that requirement. 'I'm self-employed,' Poplow said. 'Should I write a letter to myself that I'm employed? Or am I supposed to send a letter to my clients that says 'Please vouch that I'm actually working for you, because if you don't I won't get my cancer treatment.' How is that even supposed to work?' Whitehouse and Reed doubled down on their commitment to fighting against these potential spending cuts and preserving health care for MATTERS IN RHODE ISLAND FACTBOOKDownload Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Forum at Pitt-Johnstown highlights concerns over potential for Medicaid cuts
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Twenty-one percent of Somerset County's population was enrolled in some type of Medicaid coverage as of March. The number was even higher in Cambria County, at 26%. Numerous services were available to those people with limited income or resources, including inpatient hospital treatment, transportation, rural health clinics, drug and alcohol rehab, pediatric care and nursing facility living. Recently, though, a Republican budget resolution was introduced calling for the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut at least $880 billion in costs through 2034. That could require making significant reductions to Medicaid, a joint federal-state program that the committee oversees. Medicaid spending was approximately $890 billion in 2023, with the federal government covering about two-thirds and states contributing the remainder. Medicaid Matters forum Panelists United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers, certified community health worker Jason Rilogio, and Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko participate in Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. On Monday, a newly formed group called Locals for Good brought attention to the issue by hosting a Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness. The panel consisted of Highlands Health Clinic Executive Director Rosalie Danchanko, certified community health worker Jason Rilogio, United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers, Center for Population Health Executive Director Jeannine McMillan, and Cambria Residential Services Executive Director Jim Cook. The event was moderated by The Tribune-Democrat Publisher Chip Minemyer. 'There's so much disinformation out there about what it actually does, what it actually means to people,' Locals for Good volunteer Todd Holsopple said. 'We wanted to give this opportunity as a way for people to learn more about it.' Medicaid Matters forum Center for Population Health Executive Director Jeannine McMillan gives a presentation during Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. All the panelists expressed concerns about what could happen if big cuts are made to Medicaid. 'I've followed this forever and I'm not an alarmist, but in 55 years of studying government in Washington, this is the most threatening, frightening thing I have seen in 55 years,' Cook said. Danchanko said there are 'a lot of problems' and 'a lot of concerns,' but hoped that the forum would educate people 'so that we can move forward to take action.' Struble Myers said cuts would 'hurt our most vulnerable residents.' 'Above all else, it feels like a penalty for being in poverty. … Taking away fundamental health care for folks will ultimately debilitate our community,' she said. Medicaid Matters forum United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers speaks during Locals for Good's Medicaid Matters forum at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on Monday, April 21, 2025. Rilogio said reductions could negatively affect local hospitals and necessitate states taking money from other areas in order to offset losses of federal Medicaid dollars. 'If our hospitals fail, everybody that works in human services or medical won't have a job,' Rilogio said. 'I don't understand. I think the whole city should be in this room. There's not going to be food for all the people that are laid off, all the nurses, all the cleaning staff at the hospitals.' McMillan talked about reactions she is seeing in the community. 'We do hear (concerns) from folks every day,' McMillan said, 'and we're really just trying to bring some of that localized data and conversation around that, let folks share their concerns. Hopefully we can take those concerns back to some of our elected leaders and share what we've heard from their constituents.' Locals for Good plans to host a Defend Medicaid rally beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Park in downtown Johnstown.
