Half of Medicare and Medicaid people will need to delay or skip health care if the program is facing massive cuts based on the Republican House budget.
The vote of 1,000 adults in the US found that over 60% of Americans are worried about cutting Medicare and Medicaid under the new budget.
Why is it important?
The Republican House Budget calls on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and Medicare, to cut $880 billion in spending over the next decade.
More than 72 million people nationwide were eligible for Medicaid last year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. And Medicare, serving seniors, is responsible for health insurance for at least 66 million Americans.
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What do you know
The House budget calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts. Although it is not designated for Medicare or Medicaid, the budget outlines the House Energy and Commerce Committee needs to make $880 billion in cuts over the next decade. The healthcare program accounts for the majority of the committee's funding.
Trump has promised that there will be no cuts to Medicaid or Medicare, but analysis by New York Times The committee found that even cutting everything except healthcare would be as short as $600 billion.
With Everly Health Survey, half of Medicare and Medicaid people will have to delay or skip healthcare if their programs face massive cuts.
Another 60% feared that changes in federal health leadership would affect access to health care, and 70% of those expecting negative changes had chronic illness.
What people are saying
said Kevin Thompson, financial expert and founder/CEO of 9i Capital Group. Newsweek: “It's clear why there are concerns given the large cuts in eligibility spending and reforms, as the $880 billion reduction to a program previously guaranteed to be “out of control” is not particularly detailed, as it has not been fully presented.
Michael Ryan, financial expert and founder at Michaelryanmoney.com, said Newsweek: “When people delay medical care due to cost concerns, they're not stubborn. They're making painful kitchen table decisions between medication and mortgage payments.
The state tightens eligibility requirements and essentially pulls health care rugs from under millions. Then there is a ripple effect on the benefits. There will be fewer services covered or higher out-of-pocket costs. And don't forget that due to low reimbursement rates, doctors can drop Medicaid patients completely and completely. ”
Chris Fong, Medicare specialist and CEO of Smile Insurance Group, said Newsweek: “Imagine you need to take an uninsured exam that costs $400 but to help pay for the exam, many people choose not to take the exam and wait for the emergency to arrive.
What's next?
Low-income families may face difficult choices when navigating healthcare if the cuts are enabled.
“The elderly and people with disabilities who rely on long-term care services are scrambled, and children can lose a lot of access to care that gives them a healthy start to their lives,” Ryan said, adding that health insurance premiums are likely to increase as well.
If Medicaid and Medicare cuts are approved, Thompson said the service is inadequate and rural communities, as well as seniors, are the most vulnerable.
“I initially thought these cuts were unlikely, but passing an increasingly growing tax bill from Republicans suggests that this is not the case,” Thompson said. “These cuts could be subtly packaged, including cutting state funding through block grants and adding barriers to program accessibility. Medicaid is a key cost factor and could face the most pressure.”
