Dive Brief:
- More than half of adults in the U.S. are worried cuts to Medicaid currently under consideration in Congress would hurt their or their family’s ability to receive healthcare, according to a poll published last week by the KFF.
- Concerns about the policies are split along party lines. Nearly 70% of both Democrats and independents said they were nervous about the impact of Medicaid cuts, compared to more than 30% of Republicans, according to the health policy research group.
- Still, reduced funding for the safety-net program would affect Republican voters, as more than one quarter of Medicaid enrollees identify with the GOP.
Dive Insight:
The budget reconciliation bill narrowly passed by the House last month has major implications for the healthcare sector, including significant cuts to the safety-net insurance program Medicaid.
Among other changes, the bill would require able-bodied Medicaid enrollees to work, volunteer or attend school for at least 80 hours each month to continue their coverage. States would also have to check eligibility of their Medicaid populations more frequently, and implement cost-sharing for some services for higher income beneficiaries.
The legislation also includes changes related to the Affordable Care Act, like preventing beneficiaries who are automatically reenrolled in exchange plans from claiming subsidies.
If the bill passes, nearly 11 million more people would be uninsured in 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The legislation is currently under consideration in the Senate, where its provisions could change — and some Republican lawmakers have raised concerns that reducing funding for the safety-net insurance program could hurt their constituents.
Many respondents to the KFF survey were concerned about the impact of the Medicaid cuts. More than 70% were worried a reduction in spending on the safety-net insurance program would increase the number of uninsured children and adults, according to the poll of more than 2,500 adults.
Additionally, about 7 in 10 adults were concerned the cuts would have negative impacts on hospitals, nursing homes and other providers in their communities. Hospitals have already raised red flags about the Medicaid policies, arguing the cuts could hit their bottom lines and force them to cut services or close down entirely.
Many adults are worried about the repercussions of Medicaid cuts
Percent of respondents who said they were very or somewhat worried about the potential impact if the federal government significantly reduces its Medicaid spending
Providers that serve a higher number of low-income people and those in rural areas are particularly vulnerable, experts say. About half of adults in rural communities were concerned funding cuts could impact their or their family’s ability to receive or pay for care, according to KFF.
Additionally, three-quarters of adults in households with incomes under $40,000 said they were worried the cuts could negatively impact their access to care.
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