A Congressional Republican proposal aimed at cutting federal funding for Medicaid could take away health care coverage from millions of Americans.
According to the Associated Press, Republicans are considering cutting more than $880 billion in funding from the program that gives healthcare coverage to 80 million adults and children.
Medicaid covers 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. and accounts for nearly $1 out of every $5 spent on health care, NC Newsline reports.
In the last few years, millions of Americans signed up for taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace, however, Republicans want to get rid of the crucial program in favor of offering lucrative tax cuts to wealthy corporations.
For North Carolina, Republicans’ efforts to take away coverage would impact millions of children, new moms, seniors, and people with disabilities.
A new report released by the Center for Children and Families at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy found that a slash to federal funding will have “dire consequences” for over 1.2 million rural North Carolinians.
“Medicaid is an essential pillar of our health care system, one that keeps people healthier, sustains our rural hospitals, and saves lives,” said North Carolina Rep. Sarah Crawford. “If these cuts go through, the financial burden will fall squarely on the people who have only just gained access to health care in the last year. We cannot afford to go backward.”
On top of potential federal cuts, North Carolina Republicans are attempting to eliminate coverage for common healthcare needs. Senate Bill 24, sponsored by Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), would bar health insurers from providing a variety of medical benefits and coverages unless an existing one is repealed.
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Opponents and healthcare advocates have stated that the bill would hurt efforts to add important — even lifesaving — procedures, such as breast cancer screenings, by requiring other patients to lose the coverage they need.
“While we agree that health care costs are too high, this bill pits patients and providers against each other rather than seeking a comprehensive solution,” said Sen. Jay Chaudhuri.
NC Newsline reports that Sen. Chaudhuri proposed adding a study committee to the bill to investigate healthcare costs and outcomes, however, It was voted down after Burgin argued that it would incur unnecessary costs.
According to NC Newsline, the bill would also require any new benefits mandated by state law to also apply to the State Health Plan — which covers more than 750,000 state workers — and require the legislature to appropriate funds to the Plan to cover the cost.
“I don’t think that this bill, in and of itself, does anything to lower costs,” said Sen. Terence Everitt. “It only is activated if there’s another mandate down the road. I have concerns that this will lead to eliminating contraceptive coverage or in the State Health Plan, a woman who’s raped having access to coverage for an abortion.”
