New Program Would Allow States to Divert Medicaid Funds
Statement of Eagan Kemp, Health Care Policy Advocate, Public Citizen
Note: Today the Trump administration released its plan to allow states to divert Medicaid expansion funding to other state programs, setting up cuts in coverage and services, including for life-sustaining prescription drugs and access to needed services.
Given the Trump administration’s dedication to lying to Americans and to cutting access to health care, it is no surprise it has combined these tendencies in creating a so-called “Healthy Adult Opportunity Program.” This nefarious program is just a Medicaid block grant by another name, and the only opportunity it will provide is to miss out on needed care or go broke trying to get it. Even after promising numerous times not to cut Medicaid, Trump in his plan will ensure that many working families who are currently covered by Medicaid will face cuts to their services, wait lists for needed care and the risk of medical debt and bankruptcy from trying to pay for illness.
Along with other sabotage efforts, as well as its ongoing efforts to end the Affordable Care Act, this administration has shown nothing but disdain for the health and well-being of America’s families. These further attempts to cut health care are just more evidence that Americans need Medicare for All now to protect their access to care once and for all. Medicare for All would guarantee that no matter where they live, everyone in the U.S. would be able to get the care they need when they need it without the risk of going broke and facing bankruptcy.