Protect Medicaid for Ohioans and All Americans

I am writing to urge you to protect and strengthen Medicaid, a program that provides critical healthcare coverage to millions of Americans, including approximately 3 million Ohioans, which constitutes about 26% of the state’s population. As discussions continue around healthcare policy and funding, I ask that you oppose any cuts or restrictions to Medicaid that would adversely affect Ohio families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children. Medicaid plays a vital role in Ohio’s healthcare system: • Children: As of December 2024, nearly 1.62 million individuals were enrolled in the Covered Families and Children (CFC) eligibility category, with 72% of them being children (Source: Health Policy Institute of Ohio). • Seniors and People with Disabilities: In state fiscal year 2024, 24% of Ohio’s Medicaid spending was allocated to long-term care services, which predominantly serve seniors and individuals with disabilities (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation). • Maternal Health: Medicaid finances approximately 40% of all births in Ohio, ensuring that mothers and newborns receive essential medical care (Source: Kaiser Family Foundation). • Community Health Support: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Ohio serve over 793,000 patients annually, with 50% of these patients being Medicaid beneficiaries (Source: National Association of Community Health Centers). Reducing Medicaid funding or imposing restrictive eligibility requirements would have devastating consequences for Ohioans, increasing financial instability for families, straining healthcare providers, and shifting costs to emergency rooms and state-funded programs. Given Ohio’s aging population and ongoing healthcare challenges, protecting Medicaid is not just a financial necessity—it is a moral responsibility. I urge you to oppose any efforts to reduce Medicaid funding, impose restrictive work requirements, or limit eligibility. Instead, I encourage you to advocate for policies that expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and ensure that Medicaid remains robust for future generations.