Protect Medicaid funding for vulnerable populations' healthcare access

The proposed cuts to Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process would be devastating for millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and children who rely on this vital program for their health care coverage and long-term services and supports. Medicaid is a lifeline that allows these vulnerable populations to access needed care and live with dignity in their homes and communities. Slashing federal Medicaid funding, whether through reduced federal matching rates, caps on funding, or other mechanisms, would force states to make draconian cuts that strip away essential services. This would not only cause immense harm and suffering, but also increase costs for the Medicare program which relies on Medicaid to provide key wraparound coverage. That would also have a trickling effect on hospitals because people would be uninsured or people would wait longer to go and then over utilize the emergency room affecting hospitals operating cost, and likely laying off vital staff and making it more difficult to get into appointments. If people can't access Medicaid or Medicare And hospitals don't get paid, it's a domino effect. Not to mention that ambulance service areas are already having a hard time operating in a lot of areas if we start losing more of our emergency services well, then that just contributes to the issue. Rather than pursuing an aggressive cost-cutting agenda that targets Medicaid's core populations, Congress should instead work to strengthen and expand the program to better meet the growing need for affordable long-term care. Protecting and investing in Medicaid is crucial for upholding our nation's commitment to ensuring older adults and those with disabilities can access quality, person-centered care that preserves their health, independence, and basic rights. Any attempt to rashly cut Medicaid funding through reconciliation must be vehemently opposed.