Michigan Advocacy Update
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is slated to begin their debate on a budget reconciliation process, which aims to cut $880 billion in spending from programs within its jurisdiction, most notably, Medicaid. These reductions to healthcare coverage will primarily impact people who rely on Medicaid as well as states that also pay for Medicaid.
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Additionally, the tax credits that have kept marketplace health insurance within reach for families who do not qualify for Medicaid coverage are set to expire at the end of this year.
A Refresher: what is the issue?
Medicaid provides quality and affordable health care coverage for about 1 in 4 Americans, and 3 in 10 people with bleeding disorders. In Michigan alone, there are more than 2.6 million individuals who rely on Medicaid for essential care. Without Medicaid, many people living with bleeding disorders could not regularly access the medication, treatment, and care coordination they need to live healthy and productive lives.
Congress is looking to cut federal spending on Medicaid in order to achieve budget savings to spend on other priorities. The cuts up for debate will likely include policies such as:
- Reducing how much the federal government pays toward the costs of running the Medicaid program. Lower federal funding would leave the states with higher costs ā potentially triggering program rollbacks and ultimately forcing an end to Medicaid expansion coverage for non-disabled adults.āÆ
- Imposing āwork reporting requirementsā as a condition for adults to keep their Medicaid coverage. Evidence shows that the vast majority of Medicaid enrollees already work or qualify for an exemption, and cutting off health coverage does not encourage people to stay employed.
These policies would cause coverage losses and would threaten access to care for people with high-cost conditions such as bleeding disorders. Community members would be at risk of preventable complications, permanent disability, or worse.
We need your help! Please join us in this endeavor by reaching out to your federal elected officials to ask them to reject Medicaid funding cuts and other policies that would reduce coverage and disrupt care. This is not a political issue but a matter of public health and safety.
To find your federal and state Senator or Representative’s contact information, click here. You can call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask them to connect you.
Please call or email your lawmakersā offices today and remind them that Medicaid is a lifeline!
You can use the script below to get started.
Dear [Senator or Representative],
I am [calling/emailing] as a member of the bleeding disorders community and as a constituent to ask you to reject cuts to federal Medicaid funding. I am relying on you, as my elected official in Congress, to protect Medicaid from funding cuts and other policies that would reduce coverage and care.āÆ
Medicaid covers life-sustaining treatment and care for up to one-third of the bleeding disorders community. Without Medicaid, a majority of people with bleeding disorders will have no access to the regular care they need to prevent or treat painful, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening bleeding episodes. People will experience preventable health complications ā and overall healthcare costs will rise.
Please stand with the bleeding disorders community and so many others who rely on Medicaid, and reject cuts to this program that provides essential coverage to vulnerable individuals across the country.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
While there are still many uncertainties, please email advocacy@hfmich.org with any questions you may have. HFM will provide alerts to our community if there are other changes that could impact care and services.
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Together, weāre louder. Together, weāre stronger.
Thank you for helping our community be heard.
