House Republican Budget Calls for Deep Health Care Spending Cuts
On February 12, House Republications released a budget resolution that tasks the Energy & Commerce Committee with finding $880 billion in spending cuts over the next decade, and given what is in their jurisdiction, most experts are expecting this to mean deep cuts in Medicaid. The American Hospital Association, America’s Essential Hospitals, and others are releasing statements in opposition to the potential cuts, which would cause significant financial hardship to millions of American families, along with the hospitals and health care providers that care for them. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis, a reduction in federal support for Medicaid expansion would cut Medicaid spending by nearly one-fifth, and 20 million people would lose health insurance coverage. Political activity is continuing and no final budget has been passed; those who are interested in this issue should speak with their organizational leadership for coordinated response.