Protect Alaskans' Medicaid coverage and healthcare access

Cutting Medicaid coverage for tens of thousands of Alaskans is unacceptable and detrimental to the well-being of our state. The proposed $880 billion reduction in Medicaid spending over the next decade would force Alaska to either drastically scale back eligibility or bear a significant financial burden that the state cannot afford. Protecting only the "most vulnerable" is a disingenuous attempt to strip healthcare from low-income individuals and families who rely on this vital program. Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has provided access to healthcare for nearly 40% of Alaskans, including many working families earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Losing this coverage would not only leave thousands uninsured but also severely impact hospitals and clinics that have benefited from reduced unpaid medical debt. Furthermore, Alaska's unique healthcare challenges, such as serving remote communities, make maintaining robust Medicaid coverage essential. I urge you to reject any efforts to reduce federal Medicaid funding or limit eligibility. Instead, we must work to strengthen and protect this program, ensuring that all Alaskans, regardless of income level, have access to affordable, quality healthcare. The well-being of our state and its residents should take precedence over arbitrary spending cuts that would have devastating consequences.