The House of Representatives advanced a harmful budget blueprint last week that analysts and advocates said would result in devastating cuts to Medicaid. Some House Republicans argued that the budget plan does not mention “Medicaid,” and that worries about cuts to the program are premature. This week, however, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—a non-partisan agency that analyzes legislation for its budgetary effects—confirmed advocates’ fears by reporting that the House’s targeted cuts would have to come from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or from Medicare. New advocacy resources and research focus groups explore what Medicaid cuts would mean and the level of voter support for such cuts.
A Cut to Medicaid is a Cut to Medicare
Medicare Rights, Justice in Aging, Community Catalyst, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy have released two new resources explaining the links between Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Medicaid bridges gaps in coverage, helps people afford the care they need, and saves Medicare dollars by keeping beneficiaries healthier. A fact sheet gives a brief overview, while an issue brief explores how a cut to Medicaid is a cut to Medicare more deeply.
Over 12 million people who are enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare would be directly harmed by a cut.
Importantly, over 12 million people who are enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare would be directly harmed by a cut. Such cuts would force all states to make devastating choices, putting millions at risk of being kicked out of their coverage or losing vital access to care. People using home- and community-based services to live safely in their homes and communities would be especially endangered and likely to lose access to needed care and care worker support.
Focus Groups Show Enrollees Across Political Spectrum Value Medicaid
Results from KFF focus groups with both Trump and Harris voters show that people with health insurance coverage through Medicaid value that coverage and cannot go without it. The changes these enrollees want to see are improved access to care, better dental benefits, and more doctors, not cuts. Both working enrollees and those not currently working expressed how important Medicaid coverage is to support work and how hard it would likely be to meet monthly work reporting requirements.
The focus groups made clear that people with Medicaid think cuts to the program will increase their suffering and damage the economy.
Overall, the focus groups made clear that people with Medicaid think cuts to the program will increase their suffering and damage the economy.
At Medicare Rights, we know these enrollees are right. Medicaid provides vital services for people with limited resources across the country, services that Medicare does not cover. Cutting Medicaid will lead to worse health outcomes, loss of employment, economic harm, and suffering. We absolutely oppose Medicaid cuts and will continue to urge Congress to bolster the program rather than slashing it.
Take Action to Protect Medicaid
Tell Congress to say NO to harmful Medicaid cuts.
Read the new Medicaid issue brief and fact sheet.
Read the KFF focus group results.
Read more about the risk to Medicaid.
Read more about the reconciliation process.
