Latest news with #ProtectOurCare
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The potential fallout from GOP Medicaid cuts is nothing to crow about
Capitol Police remove a protester in a wheelchair from the House Energy And Commerce Committee hearing room during the committee markup of part of the budget reconciliation package on May 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photo byfor Protect Our Care) All four Arkansas Republicans in the U.S. House reacted with undiluted pleasure last week after they and their colleagues pushed through a budget reconciliation bill, by a single vote, that makes significant changes in Medicaid and the SNAP food assistance program, including shifting costs from federal to state budgets. French Hill veritably gushed, calling it a 'critical win for families' that restores the 'integrity' of Medicaid and SNAP, while Steve Womack said the bill will ensure that both programs 'remain accessible and effective for those who truly need them.' Rick Crawford trumpeted that House Republicans were 'making safety net programs better serve those who really need them,' while Bruce Westerman said he and his colleagues are 'making sure that people who are getting those benefits are American citizens and that they should be on those programs.' Of course, determinations of who is truly in need or worthy of help and terms like 'integrity' and 'accessible' can be loaded, subjective and politically motivated. And all this happy talk discounts several factors that should give the congressmen's constituents significant pause should these provisions ever become law. According to an analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, the House plan will drain nearly $700 billion from Medicaid over eight years, potentially jeopardizing Arkansas' Medicaid expansion, which has been an unqualified success since it passed in 2013. The program now provides health coverage for 813,000 Arkansans, including 309,000 children. In 74 of Arkansas' 75 counties, more than 20% of the population is covered by Medicaid, with Benton County as the only exception; in 16 counties, it's more than 30%. In 28 counties, more than half of the children are covered either by Medicaid or the CHIP program for kids from lower-income families, including five counties where the rate is above 60%. Medicaid expansion has also cut Arkansas' uninsured population from nearly 19% before expansion to 9.2% in 2023, according to figures compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation. This puts us in the top 10 among states, a rare health metric in which we aren't dragging along near the bottom. The House bill also, for the first time, shifts part of the cost of SNAP to the states, which could blow a $109 million hole in Arkansas' budget, according to an estimate from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute. A shortfall of that magnitude could lead to significant cuts, or even elimination, of a program that feeds 235,000 Arkansans – in a state already ranked dead last for food insecurity. Even Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee that oversees SNAP, acknowledged this point after the House bill passed, saying senators needed to consider whether the change was an 'unfunded mandate' that might make 'our governors call us.' The centerpiece of House Republicans' attack on Medicaid is a work requirement that would have a far-reaching impact on the nearly 243,000 Arkansans currently getting coverage under the Medicaid expansion — ignoring direct experience from right here in Arkansas that shows how putting more rigorous bureaucratic requirements on an already vulnerable population will push eligible people out of the program. In 2018, with the blessing of the first Trump administration, Arkansas started requiring Medicaid recipients to verify their work histories. Some 18,000 people lost coverage before a federal judge ruled that the reporting requirements were contrary to Medicaid's purpose of helping lower-income people obtain medical care. Based on what happened in Arkansas seven years ago, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that as many as 95,000 enrollees in the state could lose coverage under the House reconciliation bill, which includes reporting requirements that are even more stringent than what Arkansas imposed in 2018. That's equivalent to the population of Fayetteville. And the most immediate deleterious impact these Medicaid cuts would have if they become law would be on our rural hospitals, most of which are already in significant financial distress. Medicaid expansion helped rural hospitals' bottom lines by reducing the number of uninsured patients and increasing Medicaid patient numbers, increasing revenues and operating margins (although hospitals argue that reimbursement rates need to be higher to fully meet actual costs). Since the program expanded in Arkansas, just one rural hospital, De Queen Medical Center, has closed, and it was replaced by the opening of Sevier County Medical Center. By contrast, in the three states bordering Arkansas that haven't expanded Medicaid, 42 rural hospitals closed during the same period, cutting off a lifeline for rural residents. Nearly 28% of residents in small town and rural Arkansas rely on Medicaid for health care coverage and on their rural hospitals for emergency room visits, surgery or even primary care, as often happens in rural areas with a limited number of health care providers. Reducing the number of people covered by Medicaid will reduce hospital revenues, as patients either skip care or are unable to pay for care they do receive. And these proposed changes in Medicaid could not come at a worse time, with 35 of the 54 rural hospitals in Arkansas already losing money and 10 at imminent risk of closure, according to a new study from the nonpartisan Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. The study didn't specify which hospitals were most in danger of closing. But its data shows 11 rural hospitals in Arkansas running a deficit of more than 20% in costs for providing patient care. Eight of those hospitals are in Crawford's district; two are in Westerman's, and one is in Womack's. The sobering fact is that only 19 rural hospitals in Arkansas are operating in the black overall, and 14 of those are still losing money on patient care. They are at a tipping point; our congressmen have endorsed a bill that could push them over. Granted, the bill passed last week is unlikely to get through the Senate without major changes, so perhaps panicking unduly over the damage the House bill would do is premature. Yet the fact that Arkansas' entire House delegation not only went along with this but got out their pom-poms to cheer along illustrates a clear disconnect from the needs of ordinary Arkansans. It's neither 'big' nor 'beautiful' to alarm people by supporting policies that threaten their health care and food assistance and could close their local hospitals. It also seems politically unwise — except, perhaps, if you're a congressman who does not fear democratic accountability. Then, it's a 'critical win.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Protect Our Care targeting swing districts with ads opposing Medicaid cuts
The Democrat-aligned group Protect Our Care is launching a new spate of ads targeting GOP-controlled swing districts across the country to highlight constituent opposition to Medicaid funding cuts likely to result from Republicans' aims to significantly reduce the deficit. In a release provided exclusively to The Hill, Protect Our Care announced 10 new ads that will launch in districts represented by Republican congresspeople including Reps. David Schweikert (Ariz.), David Valadao (Calif.), Young Kim (Calif.), Ken Calvert (Calif.) and Nick LaLota (N.Y.), among others. The 30-second ads feature footage of angry constituents at town halls expressing opposition to Medicaid cuts. They also show Steve Bannon, an ally of President Trump, saying in February, 'Medicaid you've got to be careful, cause a lot of MAGA's on Medicaid. I'm telling you. If you don't think so, you're dead wrong.' The ads are a part of Protect Our Care's $10 million 'Hands Off Medicaid' campaign launched earlier this year. Republicans aim to cut $2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade, and according to the Congressional Budget Office, this can't be achieved without cutting into Medicaid funding. The House committee overseeing Medicaid has been tasked with finding $880 billion to cut from the programs under its jurisdiction. 'Trump and Congressional Republicans are on a crusade to slash Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy,' Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse said in a statement. 'These ads expose Republicans for turning their backs on their constituents and prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires and big companies over the health and financial wellbeing of everyday Americans,' said Woodhouse. 'Republicans' budget proposal jeopardizes the health care of millions of children, seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities, cancer patients, veterans, and the list goes on. Americans across the country, including Democratic and Republican voters alike, are counting on Republicans to do the right thing and protect our health care.' According to the findings of a KFF poll released last month, two-thirds of Trump voters say they want Congress to increase Medicaid spending or keep it at the same level, while a third said they wanted it to be decreased. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
07-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Protect Our Care targeting swing districts with ads opposing Medicaid cuts
The Democrat-aligned group Protect Our Care is launching a new spate of ads targeting GOP-controlled swing districts across the country to highlight constituent opposition to Medicaid funding cuts likely to result from Republicans' aims to reduce the deficit by $880 billion. In a release provided exclusively to The Hill, Protect Our Care announced 10 new ads that will launch in districts represented by Republican congress members including Reps. David Schweikert (Ariz.), David Valadao (Calif.), Young Kim (Calif.), Ken Calvert (Calif.) and Nick LaLota (N.Y.) among others. The 30-second ads feature footage of angry constituents at town halls expressing opposition to Medicaid cuts. They also show Steve Bannon, an ally of President Trump, saying in February, 'Medicaid you've got to be careful, cause a lot of MAGA's on Medicaid. I'm telling you. If you don't think so, you're dead wrong.' The ads are a part of Protect Our Care's $10 million 'Hands Off Medicaid' campaign launched earlier this year. Republicans aim to cut $2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade, and according to the Congressional Budget Office, this can't be achieved without cutting into Medicaid funding. The House committee overseeing Medicaid has been tasked with finding $880 billion to cut from the programs under its jurisdiction. 'Trump and Congressional Republicans are on a crusade to slash Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy,' Protect Our Care President Brad Woodhouse said in a statement. 'These ads expose Republicans for turning their backs on their constituents and prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires and big companies over the health and financial wellbeing of everyday Americans,' said Woodhouse. 'Republicans' budget proposal jeopardizes the health care of millions of children, seniors in nursing homes, people with disabilities, cancer patients, veterans, and the list goes on. Americans across the country, including Democratic and Republican voters alike, are counting on Republicans to do the right thing and protect our health care.' According to the findings of the KFF Health Tracking Poll released last month, two-thirds of Trump voters say they want Congress to increase Medicaid spending or keep it same, while a third said they wanted it to be decreased.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New Spanish-language ad in GOP districts sounds alarm on Medicaid cuts
A new ad campaign seeks to alert Spanish-speaking voters in Republican-led swing districts on what is at risk for their health after Congress voted to advance spending plans including more than $800 billion in proposed cuts to Medicaid. Protect Our Care, which lobbies for the preservation of the Affordable Care Act, launched the six-figure radio campaign on Tuesday. The ad, which was provided in advance exclusively to The Hill, features two women discussing the impact Medicaid cuts will have on their families. 'With everything we are facing every day, can you imagine if my kids' health care coverage got taken away?' a woman asks in the ad. 'If Republicans in Congress are able to pass their plan to cut Medicaid, more than half of our kids could lose their health care,' she continues. The woman adds that she would be unable to afford her children's insurance the next time they got sick. 'Cuts to Medicaid also mean that our elders in long-term care could lose health care too,' a second woman points out. The first woman responds, 'One out of three Hispanics rely on Medicaid, so cutting it would be a direct attack against us.' More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health coverage, more than half of those are people of color, according to reporting from UnidosUS. More than 20 million Latinos and 13.3 million African Americans are on Medicaid, according to the report. Latino Americans overwhelmingly support Medicaid, polling from Protect Our Care and Hart Research found, and would disapprove of cuts to Medicaid funding. But the recent proposed budget cuts — including $880 billion to Medicaid over the next decade — have raised concerns about the racial disparities in health care coverage. Advocates including Protect Our Care have argued the cuts will exacerbate these health inequities, including driving up medical debt in communities of color, worsening health outcomes and leaving families without access to critical care. 'The Republican effort to gut a program that one in three Latinos rely on for health care will have devastating impacts on Hispanic communities nationwide,' Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, said in a statement. 'These ads expose Republicans for turning their backs on their Latino constituents just to give tax cuts to billionaires and big companies.' Some Republicans have also spoken out against the proposed cuts. Last month, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) a letter expressing their own concerns about the cuts. 'While we fully support efforts to rein in wasteful spending and deliver on President Trump's agenda, it is imperative that we do not slash programs that support American communities across our nation, nor underfund critical programs necessary to secure the border and keep our communities safe,' the letter said. The lawmakers added, 'Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open.' Protect Our Care's ad campaign is part of an ongoing 10-million-dollar 'Hands Off Medicaid' campaign, which also includes TV and digital ads. The organization also plans to launch a direct mail campaign in 10 Republican swing districts. The new radio campaign will run in seven GOP-held districts, those of Reps. David Schweikert (Ariz.), David Valadao (Calif.), Young Kim (Calif.), Ken Calvert (Calif.), Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.), Rob Bresnahan (Penn.), and Dan Newhouse (Wash.). 'Latinos across the country are counting on Republicans to do the right thing and abandon these cuts to Medicaid,' said Dach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
25-03-2025
- Health
- The Hill
New Spanish-language ad in GOP districts sounds alarm on Medicaid cuts
A new ad campaign seeks to alert Spanish-speaking voters in Republican-led swing districts on what is at risk for their health after Congress voted to advance spending plans including more than $800 billion in proposed cuts to Medicaid. Protect Our Care, which lobbies for the preservation of the Affordable Care Act, launched the six-figure radio campaign on Tuesday. The ad, which was provided in advance exclusively to The Hill, features two women discussing the impact Medicaid cuts will have on their families. 'With everything we are facing every day, can you imagine if my kids' health care coverage got taken away?' a woman asks in the ad. 'If Republicans in Congress are able to pass their plan to cut Medicaid, more than half of our kids could lose their health care,' she continues. The woman adds that she would be unable to afford her children's insurance the next time they got sick. 'Cuts to Medicaid also mean that our elders in long-term care could lose health care too,' a second woman points out. The first woman responds, 'One out of three Hispanics rely on Medicaid, so cutting it would be a direct attack against us.' More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid for health coverage, more than half of those are people of color, according to reporting from UnidosUS. More than 20 million Latinos and 13.3 million African Americans are on Medicaid, according to the report. Latino Americans overwhelmingly support Medicaid, polling from Protect Our Care and Hart Research found, and would disapprove of cuts to Medicaid funding. But the recent proposed budget cuts — including $880 billion to Medicaid over the next decade — have raised concerns about the racial disparities in health care coverage. Advocates including Protect Our Care have argued the cuts will exacerbate these health inequities, including driving up medical debt in communities of color, worsening health outcomes and leaving families without access to critical care. 'The Republican effort to gut a program that one in three Latinos rely on for health care will have devastating impacts on Hispanic communities nationwide,' Leslie Dach, chair of Protect Our Care, said in a statement. 'These ads expose Republicans for turning their backs on their Latino constituents just to give tax cuts to billionaires and big companies.' Some Republicans have also spoken out against the proposed cuts. Last month, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) a letter expressing their own concerns about the cuts. 'While we fully support efforts to rein in wasteful spending and deliver on President Trump's agenda, it is imperative that we do not slash programs that support American communities across our nation, nor underfund critical programs necessary to secure the border and keep our communities safe,' the letter said. The lawmakers added, 'Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open.' Protect Our Care's ad campaign is part of an ongoing 10-million-dollar 'Hands Off Medicaid' campaign, which also includes TV and digital ads. The organization also plans to launch a direct mail campaign in 10 Republican swing districts. The new radio campaign will run in seven GOP-held districts, those of Reps. David Schweikert (Ariz.), David Valadao (Calif.), Young Kim (Calif.), Ken Calvert (Calif.), Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.), Rob Bresnahan (Penn.), and Dan Newhouse (Wash.). 'Latinos across the country are counting on Republicans to do the right thing and abandon these cuts to Medicaid,' said Dach.
