News

The Events Were Headlined by Senate Democratic Leader Schumer; House Democratic Leader Jeffries; Senators Klobuchar, Baldwin, Smith, Welch, Alsobrooks; Representatives Pallone, DeGette, Clarke, Tonko, Fletcher, Foushee, McClellan, Morrison; Former CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure; and More.

Over the past week, Protect Our Care hosted events nationwide with over a dozen members of Congress, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as health care advocates to condemn the extreme Republican budget. The GOP bill includes the largest Medicaid cuts in history in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. If Republicans succeed, they will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and rip coverage away from millions.

This week, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees have voted to advance their legislation to slash billions from Medicaid funding. Over 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid/CHIP, including seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, workers who don’t get insurance through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, but Republicans are charging ahead to take away people’s health care in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. 

In addition to draconian Medicaid cuts, Republicans are raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for tens of millions of people who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These Republican price hikes will force millions of middle-class families to lose their coverage altogether.

NATIONAL

“Reckless, Cruel, and Craven”: Senate Democratic Leader Schumer, Sens. Klobuchar, Baldwin, Smith, Welch, Alsobrooks Rail Against “Brutal” Cuts to Medicaid. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) joined Protect Our Care for a press conference condemning the Republican budget that includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. The Republican legislation will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and rip coverage away from millions. You can watch the event here and read the post-event release here.

• Brattleboro Reformer: Welch, Democrats Fight Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts
• Inside Health Policy: House GOP Leaders Eye Moving Up Work Requirements In Leadup To Friday Budget Markup
• Wisconsin Radio Network: Sen Baldwin Says House Republicans Plan to Gut Medicaid to Pay for Tax Cuts
• WAMC: Senate Democrats From the Region Criticize Proposed Republican Cuts to Medicaid

“There Are People Behind These Cuts”: House Democratic Leader Jeffries and Advocates Highlight the Cruel and Life-Threatening Impact of Republicans’ Medicaid Cuts. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Protect Our Care and health care advocates in a roundtable discussion about the harm the Republican budget will cause to seniors and families across the country. The speakers discussed how critical Medicaid has been for providing lifesaving care and coverage to their families, and how the Republicans’ budget bill jeopardizes that care for millions of Americans. You can watch the event here and read the post-event release here.

“The Fight Has Begun”: Energy and Commerce Democratic Leadership Denounce “Extreme” Republican Plan To Rip Health Care Away From Millions. House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Ranking Member on Health Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), and Vice Ranking Member Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) joined Protect Our Care for a press conference to call out Republicans’ plan to make the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. You can watch the event here and read the post-event release here.

STATES

ARIZONA

Monday, May 12 – E&C Markup Event with Former CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Honest Arizona: Former CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Arizona Public Health Association Executive Director Will Humble, and advocates from Honest Arizona joined Protect Our Care Arizona to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. This week, the Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce committee are nailing down the details of their plan to cut critical funding from Medicaid in order to meet President Trump’s demands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. Medicaid is critical for Arizonans’ health and well-being, and any cuts would be catastrophic for people who rely on the program, including seniors, children, and people with disabilities.“Imposing work requirements on Medicaid recipients would strip coverage from thousands of the most vulnerable Americans including those with chronic illnesses, disabilities, and caregiving responsibilities,” said J.J. Rico, CEO, Disability Rights Arizona. You can watch the event here, and read the post-event release here. 

• KJZZ: Health care and patient advocates sound the alarm about potential cuts to Medicaid

CALIFORNIA

Wednesday, May 14—E&C Markup Event with Congressman Derek Tran’s Team and California Medi-Cal Advocate: Local families that rely on Medicaid and a representative from Rep. Derek Tran’s team joined Protect Our Care CA to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. This week, the Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce committee are nailing down the details of their plan to cut $715 billion from Medicaid in order to meet President Trump’s demands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. “I grew up on Medi-Cal.I know how important these benefits are to so many people in my district and around the country. But instead of uplifting the American people, Republicans are taking a sledgehammer to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. In CA-45 alone, more than a hundred and fifty thousand people will be hurt by these reckless cuts,” said Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45) in remarks given by his legislative team member. “I’m proud to stand with Protect Our Care to defend and expand the programs that so many of our neighbors rely on. As long as I am in Congress, I will always defend Medicaid and fight to make our healthcare system better.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

MINNESOTA

Thursday, May 15 – Energy & Commerce Committee Markup Event with Congresswoman Kelly Morrison and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Kelly Morrison, SEIU members, and Healthcare advocates joined Protect Our Care Minnesota to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. This week, the Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce committee are nailing down the details of their plan to cut $700 billion from Medicaid in order to meet President Trump’s demands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. “If you get your health insurance through your employer, for example, and you think this won’t impact you, I’ve got bad news for you. You’re wrong. Because I have met with hospitals and clinics, and providers across the state, and they have been very clear that if these cuts go through, services will be cut for everyone,” said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. “Hospitals will close their doors, which means there will be less access for everyone. So this is an everyone problem, and it’s something that every single one of us needs to pay attention to and get engaged with. We need to protect our care.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Thursday, May 15 – E&C Markup Event with Chrstin D’Ovidio and Sam Burgess: Christin D’Ovidio of Putney Consulting and Samuel Burgess of New Futures joined Protect Our Care New  Hampshire to warn that cuts to Medicaid would devastate care for more than 200,000 Granite Staters, gut rural hospitals, and create a health care crisis across the state. Medicaid is critical for Granite Staters’ health and well-being. These drastic cuts would be catastrophic for over 200,000 New Hampshire residents, including 60,000 children, 20,000 seniors, and 25,000 people with disabilities. If passed, this legislation would force rural hospitals to close, strip away care from thousands, and create a budget crisis across the state. “The proposed work requirements and repeated eligibility checks are not about accountability—they’re administrative hurdles designed to kick people off Medicaid,” said Sam Burgess, Esq., Health Care Policy Coordinator, New Futures. “Whether by design or default, this will lead to mass disenrollment.” You can read the post-event release here, and watch the full event here. 

• The Tip Sheet: Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Put Coverage at Risk for 200,000+ Granite Staters
• Patch: Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Put Coverage at Risk for 200,000+ Granite St
• WMUR: NH health care advocates warn about risks to rural area if Medicaid cuts are approved

NEW YORK

Thursday, May 15 at 11:30 AM ET – E&C Markup Event with Congressmembers Paul Tonko and Yvette Clarke: Congressman Paul Tonko and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke — members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee — joined Protect Our Care New York to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. This week, the Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to pass their plan to cut $700 billion from Medicaid in order to meet President Trump’s demands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. “Let’s be clear: this proposal isn’t just an abstract policy debate. It’s a direct threat to the health and dignity of millions of Americans,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “I’ve met with families across New York who rely on Medicaid for life-saving treatments, for in-home care that allows seniors to stay in their communities and for critical support for children with complex medical needs. Slashing these funds to hand tax breaks to billionaires is morally indefensible. We should be strengthening the safety net, not tearing it apart.” Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said, “Medicaid is more than a program — it’s a promise. A promise that in this country, no one should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting the care they need. The GOP’s proposal breaks that promise in the worst possible way. It puts the profits of the wealthy ahead of the health of our children, our elderly, and people with disabilities. New Yorkers will not stand quietly while Washington plays politics with our lives.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

• WBFO-FM (4pm): New York Reps Tonko and Clarke Speak Out Against Medicaid Cuts
• WBFO-FM (7am): New York Reps Tonko and Clarke Speak Out Against Medicaid Cuts
• WXXI-FM: Growing number of politicians, organizations speak out on proposed cuts

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Monday, May 12 – Energy & Commerce Committee Markup Event with Congresswoman Valerie Foushee and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, State Senator Natalie Murdock, and Ashley Robinson of Little Lobbyists joined Protect Our Care North Carolina to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. “In the fourth district alone, 107,000 people depend on Medicaid for health coverage with roughly half of them being children under the age of 19,” said Congresswoman Foushee. “These cuts aren’t just numbers on a page, they are real people,  real families who are being impacted and will face greater hardships as a result of this administration’s actions.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

VIRGINIA

Thursday, May 15 – Energy & Commerce Committee Markup Event with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Health Care Advocates: Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, health care advocates, and storytellers joined Protect Our Care Virginia to discuss the latest developments in the GOP assault on Medicaid. This week, the Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce committee are nailing down the details of their plan to cut $715 billion dollars from Medicaid in order to meet President Trump’s demands to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. “Due to these changes, you lose your health insurance under Medicaid, you lose your subsidy to be able to purchase insurance through the Marketplace. That’s how we get to 13.7 million people who will lose health insurance,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “Those costs will go to the rest of us. Providers will feel the stress of that. We will have rural hospitals threatening to close again, like we did before we expanded in Virginia. About 200,000 Virginians stand to lose access to their health care here. And why? Why are we doing this? To fund tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% by making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent.” You can watch the event here, and view the post-event release here.

• Virginia Mercury: McClellan, Virginia Democrats warn of dire impact to state if proposed Medicaid cuts materialize
• 13NewsNow: Newly proposed bill threatens Medicaid expansion enrollment in Virginia
• WVEC: Proposed GOP cuts to Medicaid

Watch the Full Event Here.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) joined Protect Our Care for a press conference condemning the Republican budget that includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. The Republican legislation will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and rip coverage away from millions.

This week, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees have voted to advance their legislation to slash billions from Medicaid funding. Almost 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid/CHIP, including seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, workers who don’t get insurance through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, but Republicans are charging ahead to take away people’s health care in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. 

In addition to draconian Medicaid cuts, Republicans are raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for tens of millions of people who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These Republican price hikes will force millions of middle-class families to lose their coverage altogether. 

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have been trying to gut the ACA and rip away health care coverage for over a decade. And this week, they released their newest and cruelest plan – the largest cut to Medicaid in American history – all to lower taxes for billionaires,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “Republicans have spent months promising they will not cut Medicaid but their proposal shows as clear as day that they never intended to keep that promise. Democrats have been in this fight for a long time – and we are going to keep up the pressure, fight these cruel cuts, and hold Republicans’ feet to the fire.”

“There are so many families in America who understand that their loved ones either have no savings or limited savings, and they rely on Medicaid,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “That is what Republicans are putting at risk right now. All it would take to stop this is for Republicans to stand up and say no.”

“I’ve been traveling around Wisconsin talking to families about what getting Medicaid actually means to them, and it is deeply personal,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “Republicans are doing all sorts of tricks to try to hide what they’re doing, but at the end of the day, the result is the same: fewer Americans will have health care and the wealthiest people will get tax breaks. We’ve been able to shine a spotlight on exactly what the Republicans are doing, and we’re not going to stop fighting.”

“This impacts not just our fellow Americans who count on Medicaid, but all of us,” said Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). “It’s whether or not rural hospitals are going to be there for us, whether emergency rooms are going to be full. All Republicans are doing is cutting the care that Americans need to take care of themselves.”

“Medicaid is a real lifeline for Vermonters,” said Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). “But Republicans are so intimidated by Trump that they’re willing to cut billions from Medicaid and turn a blind eye to the consequences. This budget will be brutal on individuals, families, and community institutions in red and blue states across the country.”

“What we’re seeing now with these reckless, cruel, and craven plans to cut Medicaid from the people of America is horrific,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). “Medicaid provides for the vulnerable, for the children who need it, for our elders. We must save Medicaid. Now, Republicans have an opportunity to be courageous and join us in standing against these cuts and doing the right thing.”

“Republicans are abandoning everyday Americans – our seniors, our children, people with disabilities, veterans, and rural hospitals,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “There’s still time for Republicans to do the right thing and reject these draconian cuts to Medicaid.”

***MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY MAY 15TH AT 11 AM ET***

Republicans Charge Ahead With Bill to Rip Away Health Care from Millions to Fund Tax Breaks for the Wealthy 

Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, May 15th at 11 AM ET, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) will join Protect Our Care for a press conference condemning the Republican budget that includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in history. The Republican legislation will hike health care costs, close rural hospitals, and rip coverage away from millions.

This week, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees have voted to advance their legislation to slash billions from Medicaid funding. Almost 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid, including seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, workers who don’t get insurance through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. Americans across party lines oppose cuts to Medicaid, but Republicans are charging ahead to take away people’s health care in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. 

In addition to draconian Medicaid cuts, Republicans are raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for tens of millions of people who buy coverage on their own. These Republican price hikes will force millions of middle-class families to lose their coverage altogether.

PRESS CALL

WHO:
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)
Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)
Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care

WHAT: Virtual Press Conference

WHERE: RSVP here

WHEN: Thursday May 15 at 11 AM ET

Washington D.C. — Today, Republicans in the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees voted to devastate American health care so they can give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations. This bill will rip health care away from millions of Americans, including children, seniors, caretakers, people battling cancer or addiction, and working families who don’t receive health care through their employers. With the largest Medicaid cuts in history, Republicans will force rural hospitals to close, push seniors out of nursing homes, strip women of affordable reproductive care, and leave working families without access to the most basic health services. At the same time, they are taking away tax credits that lower premium costs for middle-class families and sabotaging the Affordable Care Act. 

Republicans are lying when they call this bill a moderate compromise. It will cause the same harm as their previous bills, including over $700 billion in cuts to health care that will hike costs and rip coverage away from millions of people. House Republicans deliberately delayed debate until the dead of night in order to dodge accountability and the attention of the public, because they know just how cruel and unpopular these cuts are. Throughout the night, Republicans voted down amendment after amendment that would’ve helped protect coverage and care for those who need it. 

“These committee markups revealed Republicans’ true colors and proved what we’ve known all along: Republicans are trashing our health care to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “There’s nothing moderate about taking health care from working people to give tax breaks to the wealthy. Republicans rejected every attempt to protect people’s health care and instead pushed through the largest Medicaid cuts in history. Communities across the country are going to feel the devastating impacts of this legislation for generations. Hospitals will close, seniors will be forced out of nursing homes, people with disabilities will lose their support, and working families will lose access to lifesaving care – all so Trump and Republicans can make the rich even richer. As this legislation moves to the House floor, Republicans will have one more chance to put the needs of working families over billionaires and reject these cuts.” 

BACKGROUND

FACT SHEET: Spineless Republicans Are Gutting Health Care For Millions To Handout Billions In Tax Breaks To Wealthy Donors And Corporations 

Right now, the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means are debating legislation that slashes billions of dollars from Medicaid and rips health care away from millions of Americans so they can fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. This Republican budget is anything but moderate – hospitals will close, sick people will go untreated, and working families will lose access to basic health care. Their plan would rip health care from millions of Americans, including seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, workers who don’t get insurance through their jobs, and people who take care of their children or elderly parents. Headlines from across the nation make clear that Republicans are trading Americans’ health care for billionaire tax breaks and putting the interests of Donald Trump and the wealthiest Americans and corporations over their constituents.

Patch: Cuts, Changes To Medicaid Proposed In New Bill: What To Know In RI.

• “House Republicans have unveiled the cost-saving centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” that could have a big effect on Rhode Island’s roughly 366,000 Medicaid enrollees… The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in a preliminary estimate that 8.6 million people would lose their health care coverage over a decade.”

New Jersey Monitor: Children’s Health Services Could See Trims Even Under Scaled-Back Medicaid Cuts.

• “The GOP is still considering capping federal spending by setting a fixed amount for how much states receive for every Medicaid enrollee… The agency predicted that to make up for lost federal dollars, states would have to reduce payments to health care providers, curb benefits or reduce enrollment. Some advocates also suggest that states might seek savings in other areas of their budgets, such as K-12 education.”
• “Medicaid cuts also could affect the health services offered in schools. Between $4 billion and $6 billion in annual Medicaid spending helps pay for school-based health services, including routine health screenings, preventive care, mental health care and physical, speech and occupational therapies. Children from underserved communities disproportionately rely on school-based health services.”

Maryland Matters: State officials, advocates fear impact of expected Medicaid cuts in House bill.

• “While state officials are still determining the full scope of the GOP proposal unveiled Sunday night, they anticipate that a “significant” portion of Maryland’s 1.55 million Medicaid recipients could lose coverage under the current proposal… About 25% of Marylanders receive health care through Medicaid.”

Across California: Cuts, Changes To Medicaid Proposed In New Bill: What To Know In CA. 

• “Over 8 million people in California could lose their health coverage under the GOP proposal, according to the California Budget and Policy Center, a progressive think tank that advocates for programs that benefit low-income individuals, people of color, and vulnerable communities.”

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Some Are Raising Alarms About the Potential Effects in Texas of Medicaid Cuts.

• “[O]ne in two births in Texas are covered under Medicaid and about 150,000 out of the 775,000 people in the 33rd Congressional District… Cutting Medicaid… will hurt not just Texans, but moms around the country.”
• “Russ Weaver, vice president of Mission, Community and Government Advocacy at Texas Health Huguley, said 13 percent of the hospital’s residents use Medicaid but 52 percent of its deliveries and 50 percent of its adolescence psychiatric services are for people who have Medicaid. To cut Medicaid, which does not completely cover the cost of a patient’s care, puts additional financial pressure on the hospital and raises concerns about what will happen to mothers and their babies, Weaver said.”

The Kansas City Star: Opinion: Missouri and Kansas Families Rely on Medicaid. Defend It.

• “A new analysis of the impacts of Medicaid cuts on Kansans commissioned by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and REACH Healthcare Foundation warns that if Congress enacts proposed structural changes to Medicaid, such as a per capita cap, Kansas’ Medicaid program could lose up to $573 million in the first year alone and more than $5.19 billion over the next decade. Changes to provider taxes, state directed payments, and work requirements could cost the state more.”
• “Missouri could see as much as a quarter of its federal Medicaid funding cut, more than $3.9 billion per year, and as many as 350,000 people could lose health coverage.”

Houston Chronicle: How Republican Medicaid Cuts Could Impact Texas Hospitals and Patients.

• “‘Ultimately it’s a cut to hospitals and other health care providers,’ said Darbin Wofford, deputy director of health care at the non-profit Third Way. ‘As hospitals costs grow and states want to increase base payments or supplemental payments, now you’re tying the hands of the states.’”

The Detroit News: State Report Details Steep Cost of Potential Federal Medicaid Cuts for Michigan.

• “As the U.S. House plots cuts to the federal government’s health care spending, Michigan officials have calculated the potential risk of doing so to low-income Michiganians receiving Medicaid and found one congressional proposal, based on plans floated so far, would rescind coverage for up to 500,000 recipients.”

Huron Daily Tribune: Whitmer, MDHHS warn of major Medicaid losses under federal proposals.

• “More than 700,000 Michiganders — nearly 30% of all Medicaid beneficiaries — could lose coverage under “Republican-led” proposals in Congress, according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer… Michigan hospitals could lose out on half a billion dollars in Medicaid funding annually, threatening thousands of jobs. As a result, hospitals in local and rural communities across Michigan could close, threatening access to care, raising prices, and forcing people to drive further for health care.”

13NewsNow: What’s at Stake? Virginia State Lawmakers Briefed on Potential Impacts of Federal Medicaid Cuts.

• “‘If Washington, D.C. changes these funding formulas or puts caps on the amount of funding provided to states, that leaves states with very challenging questions of, ‘Can we continue to provide services and cover the number of people covered under these programs?’ Or, ‘Do we have to make difficult choices about the level of services provided?’’ Walker said.”

Axios Raleigh: How the GOP’s proposed federal Medicaid cuts would impact N.C.

• “States have been bracing for details on how exactly House Republicans would slash Medicaid funding, with North Carolina estimating that in the worst-case scenario, the state could lose out on some $27 billion in federal Medicaid funds over the span of 10 years.”
• “The new proposal, which aims to slash federal spending to fund Republicans’ desired tax cuts, would implement work requirements for non-pregnant Medicaid recipients ages 19-64… The proposal would also increase the frequency of checks on Medicaid eligibility — to every six months rather than annually — and would restrict Medicaid funding for abortion providers.”

NJ Spotlight News: With Medicaid threatened, Kean’s committee seat may cost him.

• “The legislation teed up for debate would remove about 8.6 million people from Medicaid enrollment, according to a preliminary estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan agency that advises Congress on economic policy… Within New Jersey, that would mean 200,000 people would be removed from Medicaid… Kean’s office did not respond to a request for comment about how he plans to vote or if he would try to amend the bill. About 73,000 people in his district are enrolled in Medicaid…”

WBay: Wisconsinites React to House Republicans’ Bill That Features Medicaid Cuts.

• “As state lawmakers debate the biennial budget, Medicaid is now a top concern, and if federal funding drops, those who provide care, like the Partnership Community Health Center with offices in the Fox Valley, are expecting the worst.”
• “‘One out of every six Wisconsinites is on Medicaid, and when we think about that, that’s somebody we know. There are three out of five children, and a majority of people live in rural areas,’ Savella said.”

MinnPost: GOP’s Medicaid overhaul would punish Minnesota for providing health care to undocumented immigrants.

• “Legislation released by the House Energy and Commerce Committee late Sunday would cut the share the federal government gives Minnesota and 13 other states, including California, Illinois and New York, from 90% to 80% because these states offer health care coverage to undocumented immigrants… the reduction in the federal matching rate would cost Minnesota more than $325 million a year… About 1.3 million Minnesotans, or about 23% of the state’s population, rely on Medicaid, known in the state as Medical Assistance, for their health care.”

NBC Connecticut: Connecticut Democrats Warn Congressional Medicaid Plan Will Mean Less Coverage.

• “Democrats said Monday proposed Medicaid changes by Congressional Republicans could result in many people in Connecticut losing their insurance.”
• Pareesa Charmchi Goodwin, executive director for the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health, said the work requirement can result in people losing their coverage if they lose their job. She also warned, though, that the additional requirements and semi-annual reapplications can lead to more people losing their coverage because of paperwork or procedural problems. ‘It is a lot of additional layers of administration and bureaucracy that are very difficult for people to navigate, and people end up losing benefits,’ she said.”

Colorado Sun: Seeking spending cuts, GOP lawmakers target a tax hospitals love to pay.

• “‘These dollars allow me to care for patients who are enrolled in Medicaid and to break even rather than lose money,’ [Lincoln Health CEO Kevin Stansbury] said. ‘Without them, it would significantly impact our ability to survive.’ Every state except Alaska uses at least one provider tax to boost its federal Medicaid dollars. But Republicans who control Congress are looking for potential cuts in the nearly $900 billion Medicaid program to help fund an extension of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts… Lawmakers say they may curtail or eliminate provider taxes as part of legislation to enact Trump’s domestic agenda. ‘It’s infuriating,’ Stansbury said.”

WTVG: Local Mental Health Agencies Worried About Cuts to Medicaid.

• “‘To come up with an additional $11 million or whatever that number may look like, will be a huge transition,’ said Sylak. This could eventually mean modifying benefit packages and could mean more trips to places like emergency rooms for people in crisis. When in fact, mental health services are what they really need. That’s in part why advocates say it makes more sense to invest in things like mental health services, so people don’t end up in an ER or jail or rescue shelter, where again, people will have to make investments, but probably larger ones.