Massive Medicaid Cuts Would Lead to Health Care Disaster, Warn Democrats
TL/DR –
Democratic lawmakers warn that substantial cuts to Medicaid proposed in the Republicans’ federal spending plans will result in a healthcare disaster. According to Rep. Frank Pallone, the proposed GOP plan is full of “gotcha” gimmicks and will result in millions of Americans being denied care, with a Congressional Budget Office analysis suggesting that an estimated 13.7 million people will lose their health insurance. Rep. Diana DeGette criticizes the plan as prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy at the expense of healthcare for working families and vulnerable populations, including women who rely on Planned Parenthood.
Potential Health Care Disaster due to Massive Medicaid Cuts, says Democratic Lawmakers
Opposing Republicans’ federal spending plans, Democratic lawmakers warn about a national health care disaster due to massive cuts to Medicaid. Representatives Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), Diana DeGette (D-Colorado), and Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas) discussed the issue with Leslie Dach, leader of healthcare advocacy organization, Protect Our Care.
The trio, all members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, expressed concern over the potential effects of the impending budget cuts. Dach, a former adviser in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, warned about the fallout for the public, particularly seniors and disabled veterans.
Opposition to ‘Gotcha’ Tactics in GOP Plan
The lawmakers criticized the GOP’s proposal, citing its potential to deny millions access to healthcare due to bureaucratic red tape. Rep. Pallone slammed the Trump administration’s attitude towards healthcare, asserting that their actions contradicted their promise not to cut Medicaid benefits.
Pallone pointed to a Congressional Budget Office analysis predicting 8.6 million people will lose their health insurance because of the GOP plan. Additionally, he cautioned against the potential introduction of more burdensome requirements such as $35 co-pays for doctor visits and restrictive enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act insurance.
Billionaires’ Tax Cut at the Expense of Public Health Care
Rep. DeGette warned about a potential $5 trillion tax cut for billionaires like Elon Musk, which could come at the cost of millions losing their Medicaid coverage. She emphasized the critical role Medicaid plays in reducing the uninsured rate in the U.S. and alleviating pressure on healthcare providers and American families.
She also highlighted how the Republican plan could impact Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of health care for women in the country, thus affecting the congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus, which she chairs.
Impact on Healthcare Providers
Rep. Fletcher, the caucus’s vice-chair, voiced concerns about the impact of Medicaid cuts on healthcare providers. She warned against shifting Medicaid responsibilities to states and anticipated an increase in emergency room visits due to lack of preventive care.
She stressed the potential impact on Texas, where half of all births are covered by Medicaid. The reduced funding could force hospitals to close their labor and delivery units, jeopardizing healthcare access for many Texas residents.
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