Congressional Republicans are considering proposals that could severely undermine Medicaid, threatening health coverage for millions of Americans and potentially leading to tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year. A budget resolution passed by Republicans requires the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to reduce spending by at least $880 billion through 2034. Since Medicaid makes up a large portion of the committee’s non-Medicare funding, it becomes a primary target for cuts.
One proposal involves reducing the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) that helps states cover Medicaid costs for adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. If this funding is cut, states may find it financially unsustainable to continue their Medicaid expansions. According to the Urban Institute, shrinking the FMAP could cause an estimated 10.8 million people to lose coverage and become uninsured.
Health economist Benjamin D.
Medicaid cuts could cost lives
Sommers estimates that this loss of coverage would lead to about 34,200 deaths each year.
Another proposal involves imposing work reporting requirements, forcing Medicaid enrollees to regularly document and verify their work hours to maintain coverage. The Urban Institute estimates that these requirements could cause around 15,400 deaths annually due to the resulting coverage losses. Medicaid provides critical health services for low-income individuals, children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Research shows that Medicaid expansion is linked to increased coverage, better health outcomes, and lower mortality rates. The proposed cuts and requirements would have the opposite effect, putting the health and lives of millions of Americans at risk. As the debate over these proposals continues, it highlights the vital role Medicaid plays in providing essential health coverage and the potential human cost of reducing that support.