GOP cuts to Medicaid will harm America’s health

“Congress is considering proposals that could change Medicaid financing and eligibility.

“Some of these proposed changes could cause millions of people to lose access to care under Medicaid. People without coverage often skip necessary care, leading to worse health outcomes. For people in poor health, the results can be dangerous.

“Cuts will put a greater burden on emergency rooms and community health providers.

“Each additional uninsured person results in $900 in uncompensated health care costs. Hospitals absorb most of these costs. Ultimately, this means fewer services, higher prices, and reduced investments in their local community.

“Federal cuts to Medicaid funding could also have a ripple effect in many states that have “trigger laws” that automatically reduce Medicaid care and coverage if federal matching funds are cut.”

Medicaid cuts hurt citizens in red states. In particular, the cuts that result in rural hospital closures will fall on rural voters who historically skew Republican. If I were a partisan Democrat, I would cheer these cynical cuts to the most vulnerable. But that would be cynical.

https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/news/nations-health-suffers-congress-cuts-medicaid#