The Republican Medicaid cuts will hurt everyone, not just those in need
Justin never thought he'd live past the age of 25. In just nine months, he’ had already received emergency care for his diabetes four times.
A new family medicine physician changed all that. With regular primary care, Justin took medication and changed his diet and exercise habits. Now he no longer needs to inject himself daily with insulin — or fear an amputation. Justin is now approaching age 30, in the best health he has experienced in years.
This might not have happened without his Medicaid coverage.
Now Medicaid and patients like Justin who rely on it are in the crosshairs. That's because Republicans are looking for $880 billion worth of cuts over the next decade to help finance tax cuts for the wealthy. While the Republicans are not yet united behind an approach, they seem set on cuts.
As a doctor and CEO of a hospital and health care group who has worked in health care for more than 30 years, I know from experience that cutting Medicaid won’t make health care more accessible, affordable or efficient for anyone. In fact, it will do the opposite: It will harm urban and rural communities, affluent and poor alike.
Why? Because we are all connected in our health care system. When one part of the system struggles or fails, the burden is shifted to other parts of the system, crossing community boundaries.
Currently, Medicaid covers more than 80 million people, or about 21 percent of the population, including pregnant women, people with disabilities and many people in long-term care facilities. As a growing number of Americans — including many Republican voters — receive care that is paid for by this public insurance plan, it has become a critical foundation for maintaining health, saving lives and preventing medical debt. Medicaid improves the chance for a healthy birth. It provides better access to primary care — the most effective way to prevent illness and reduce costs.
Cuts to Medicaid will put additional pressure on stressed and overcrowded providers. Access to doctors and services, already limited in rural and poor urban communities, will become even worse. And I know one thing with certainty: If the federal government cuts back on care, people won’t stop getting sick.
Forced reductions in access through budget cuts will lead to patients delaying care and eventually arriving in emergency departments with advanced diseases. We may see temporary savings in one row of a balance sheet, but it will be an illusion, as costs for emergency and inpatient care increase.
Nearly half of hospitals in our country are operating at a loss. These hospitals are already cutting back on services — closing labor and delivery departments and eliminating staffing for patient beds. When these budget reduction measures fail, entire facilities may close, often those that serve the most vulnerable.
This is when the impact is felt in neighboring hospitals, as patients seek care outside of their communities, exacerbating crowding and delays in those facilities. We experienced this here in South LA, when King-Drew Medical Center closed in 2007. Facilities 10 to 20 miles away, including Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills and UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, were forced to absorb patients who still needed care.
Health care may not be well organized, but it is interconnected. Pressure in one part of the system creates pressure in another. Some leaders may not be concerned about worsening care for poor communities, but as cuts reverberate through the system, privately insured constituents will also be affected. When providers are paid less for Medicaid patients, privately insured patients will pay more.
America spends more on health care than other wealthy countries while achieving worse outcomes. But the answer to high health costs is not to cut access for our most vulnerable communities. A health care system built on a foundation of public health, prevention and primary care would give us better health outcomes and cost less. Aligning payment with patient care rather than with corporate profits — the U.S. spends $804 billion each year on Medicaid where just five Fortune 500 companies account for half of the program’s enrollment — would cut waste while returning health dividends to communities.
Justin is an example of what we should be doing: making sure patients have access to primary care so they can stay healthy. Cutting services for some members of our society will impose a cost on all of us who need and use health care. It will make health care delivery less efficient and more expensive — the opposite of what leaders on both sides hope to achieve.
Elaine Batchlor is a physician with over 30 years of experience working in American health care and currently serves as the CEO of MLK Community Healthcare.
Topics
-
Cutting Medicaid?
How Republicans could change the program.The New York Times - 6d -
In rural Louisiana, Speaker Mike Johnson’s constituents fear potential Medicaid cuts
In House Speaker Mike Johnson’s backyard, many residents rely on anti-poverty programs to help make ends meet — and are pleading with the Louisiana Republican to protect those benefits as Congress ...NBC News - 3d -
Want to cut Medicaid costs without hurting patients? Here’s an easy solution.
The establishment of a National No-Fault Medical Malpractice program for physicians and hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid is an easy, commonsense proposal that would preserve access ...The Hill - Mar. 8 -
With Medicaid cuts looming, misinformation about immigrants, especially Latinos, spreads
As Republican lawmakers move to cut Medicaid spending, misinformation about immigrants, especially about Latinos, is spreading on social media.NBC News - 3d -
Louisiana voters in Speaker Johnson’s district react to Medicaid cut threats
Residents of Vinton, La., which is part of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s district, are concerned that Republicans will make cuts to Medicaid to reduce government spending. NBC News’ Melanie Zanona ...NBC News - 4d -
Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid Would Be ‘Catastrophic for Women’s Health,’ Says Chelsea Clinton
Republicans want to slash $880 billion from the agency overseeing Medicaid. There’s no way to do so without touching benefits.Inc. - 6d -
The looming budget question: Will Medicaid cuts fund tax cuts?
Republicans should focus tax cuts on middle-income and lower-income households that would provide greater support to the economy than tax cuts for the wealthy.The Hill - 2d -
Dr. Oz dodges questions on Medicaid cuts at confirmation hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, was grilled by Democratic senators at his confirmation hearing about the possible plans by Trump and Republicans to ...NBC News - 1d -
Senators Grill Dr. Oz on Medicaid Cuts and Medicare Changes
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the TV celebrity, dodged queries about Republican plans to cut health insurance for the poor, and emerged unscathed on his ties to major industries.The New York Times - 1d -
Scott Perry says no one 'legitimately' on Medicaid will lose coverage
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) suggested on Sunday that no one "legitimately" on Medicaid will lose their coverage due to GOP efforts to cut spending. In an interview on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” ...The Hill - Mar. 9 -
Dr. Oz dodges questions on Medicaid cuts at Senate confirmation hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead Medicare and Medicaid, sidestepped questions from senators on whether he supports significant Medicaid cuts.NBC News - 1d -
Oz dodges questions about Medicaid cuts in confirmation hearing
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), dodged questions from Democrats on Friday about whether he supported potential cuts to Medicaid. ...The Hill - 2d -
Republican Voters Support Medicaid but Want Work Requirements, Poll Finds
More than 60 percent of all voters — and 47 percent of Democrats — supported a work requirement for Medicaid, the country’s largest health insurance program.The New York Times - Mar. 7 -
Medicaid cuts would decimate Native American programs, tribal health leaders say
As Congress mulls significant cuts to Medicaid, Native American tribes are bracing for potentially devastating financial fallout.CBS News - 2d -
Medicaid cuts would decimate Native American programs, tribal health leaders say
As Congress mulls significant cuts to Medicaid, Native American tribes are bracing for potentially devastating financial fallout.CBS News - 2d -
Trump CMS nominee Dr. Oz won't commit to opposing Medicaid cuts
President Donald Trump has promised to preserve Medicaid and other federal safety-net programs.CNBC - 2d -
Dr. Oz dodges questions on Medicaid cuts during Senate confirmation hearing
President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services faced questions from the Senate Finance Committee on Friday.MarketWatch - 1d -
If Medicaid cuts include work requirements, people may lose health coverage as a result, research finds
Congress may have to implement Medicaid cuts to reach its budget targets. That could include new work requirements in order to obtain coverage.CNBC - Mar. 9 -
US aid cuts are hurting Africa's ability to respond to disease outbreaks, health chief says
Aid cuts by the United States are hurting Africa’s capacity to respond to disease outbreaks, the head of the continent's public health agency said ahead of a meeting with regional health ministers ...ABC News - 3d -
G.O.P. Spending Bill Would Force $1 Billion Cut to D.C. Budget
Republicans omitted a standard provision approving the District’s budget in a stopgap funding measure needed to avert a shutdown before the end of the week. The result would be a 16 percent cut.The New York Times - 5d -
Here’s how ‘DOGE’ cuts, safety fears and a slowing economy are combining to hurt airlines
American Airlines now sees a much bigger Q1 loss, and Southwest said less government travel hurt revenue.MarketWatch - 5d -
Democrats need to stop infighting 'as quickly as we can': Sen. Whitehouse
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Republicans forced Democrats to have to choose between supporting a funding bill or enduring more cuts to the federal government.ABC News - 4h -
'A lot of fear': Speaker Johnson's constituents react to potential cuts to Medicaid, food stamps
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Melanie Zanona reports from Vinton, Louisiana, on how Speaker Mike Johnson’s constituents are reacting to potential cuts to Medicaid and food stamps. NBC News ...NBC News - 3d -
Dr. Oz grilled over cuts at Senate hearing as he vies to lead Medicaid, Medicare
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, faced tough questions at his confirmation hearing from the Senate Finance Committee.ABC News - 1d -
Republicans worry Trump's tariffs could harm economy
Republican lawmakers are growing alarmed over signs that President Trump’s expanding trade war is hurting the economy, something they’re hearing from constituents at home who are struggling to ...The Hill - 6d -
Trump's quest to conquer Canada is confusing everyone
Canadians and Republicans alike are confounded as President Donald Trump increasingly links a trade war to his push to annex Canada.NBC News - 2d -
Trump's quest to conquer Canada is confusing everyone
Canadians and Republicans alike are confounded as President Donald Trump increasingly links a trade war to his push to annex Canada.NBC News - 2d -
‘Not quite yet beautiful’: Republicans at odds over spending cuts after meeting Trump
Senate Republicans aren’t seeing eye to eye with their colleagues in the House over places to cut spending in order to pay for their extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts. GOP members of the Senate ...The Hill - 1d -
Anthropic just launched a new platform that lets everyone in your company collaborate on AI — not just the tech team
Anthropic launches upgraded Console with team prompt collaboration tools and Claude 3.7 Sonnet's extended thinking controls.VentureBeat - Mar. 6 -
State Republicans Eager to Climb on Cost-Cutting Bandwagon
G.O.P. governors and legislators are parroting the federal Department of Government Efficiency by creating panels at the state level. But the similarities only go so far.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
As the NWSL brings in foreign talent, international players savor new opportunity: ‘Everyone just goes for the win all the time’
A new NWSL season kicks off this weekend, and there are a number of new faces across the league. Many of these players represent a trend in the NWSL: an influx of foreign players as the U.S.-based ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Boost Your Influence: 7 Proven Strategies for a Powerful Personal Brand
If everyone is a brand, you need to boost yours and get comfortable marketing it.Inc. - 2d -
House Republicans push Trump-backed bill to avoid shutdown, sparking backlash
High-stakes vote puts GOP lawmakers at odds with Democrats over cuts to social services and military boosts. House Republicans are gambling on a near party-line vote on Tuesday to avoid a looming ...The Guardian - 5d -
Veterans cuts spark GOP backlash on Capitol Hill
"We don't need to be reading memos in the paper about 20 percent cut at the VA," Sen. Lindsey Graham said.Politico - Mar. 6 -
Do spring games hurt more than they help? A look at the changes being made
With more schools opting out of spring games, we examine the reasoning behind those decisions.ESPN - 5d -
House GOP narrowly passes spending bill, now heads to Senate
House Republicans on Tuesday narrowly passed a spending bill just days before the deadline of a government shutdown. The bill now goes to the Senate where it will need support from Democrats in ...NBC News - 4d -
Republican congressman faces extended boos and jeers at rowdy town hall
Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., faced a rowdy crowd at a town hall with constituents, the latest such event to go viral on social media as Republicans face backlash over President Donald Trump's mass ...NBC News - 2d -
Senate Republicans tell Musk to send his cuts to Congress
The DOGE chief was told that legislative action could enshrine his slashing.Politico - Mar. 5 -
Restore Medicaid's intent: Prioritize the most vulnerable over able-bodied childless adults
Congress should refocus the program on its original intent: vulnerable Americans, especially those with disabilities who have nowhere else to turn for health coverage.The Hill - 4d
More from The Hill
-
Live updates: Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act; Houthis vow retaliation after US airstrikes
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday, preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 34m -
Murphy backs Schumer's leadership but says caucus must 'change our tactics' to be effective
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership on Sunday but said the caucus "must change our tactics" to be effective. “I still support Senator ...The Hill - 37m -
Witkoff says administration is ‘exploring’ alternatives for Gaza relocation
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration is “exploring” alternatives for relocation of the Palestinian people after President Trump said he would take over Gaza to ...The Hill - 39m -
Is Elon Musk a national security threat?
Elon Musk's deep financial ties to China, his influence over U.S. defense infrastructure, and his alleged ketamine use raise concerns about his ability to compromise the structure of America's ...The Hill - 53m -
Witkoff highlights Russia negotiations, calls Trump the 'ultimate decisionmaker'
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted his recent negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine but noted that President Trump is the “ultimate decisionmaker” in the ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Live updates: Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act; Houthis vow retaliation after US airstrikes
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday, preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 34m -
Murphy backs Schumer's leadership but says caucus must 'change our tactics' to be effective
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership on Sunday but said the caucus "must change our tactics" to be effective. “I still support Senator ...The Hill - 37m -
Witkoff says administration is ‘exploring’ alternatives for Gaza relocation
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration is “exploring” alternatives for relocation of the Palestinian people after President Trump said he would take over Gaza to ...The Hill - 39m -
Is Elon Musk a national security threat?
Elon Musk's deep financial ties to China, his influence over U.S. defense infrastructure, and his alleged ketamine use raise concerns about his ability to compromise the structure of America's ...The Hill - 53m -
Witkoff highlights Russia negotiations, calls Trump the 'ultimate decisionmaker'
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted his recent negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine but noted that President Trump is the “ultimate decisionmaker” in the ...The Hill - 1h