GOP Targets Medicaid and Obamacare: Health Groups Fight Back
GOP Aims to Slash Medicaid and Obamacare
US health advocacy groups are rallying to protect Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, from significant cuts proposed by House Republicans. The proposed $880 billion reduction could leave an estimated 13 million Americans without health insurance, sparking fierce opposition from health organizations.
Divisions within GOP
The Republican bill, while facing internal divisions, has drawn criticism from even some within the party. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has publicly questioned the effectiveness of work requirements, a key component of the proposed cuts. The bill has also been met with strong condemnation from Democrats.
Advocacy Groups Sound the Alarm
Erika Sward, assistant vice-president of National Advocacy for the American Lung Association, shared a powerful story during a recent press call. She spoke about a patient with stage 4 lung cancer who struggled to work while battling the disease. Sward emphasized the cruelty of making individuals justify their illness while fighting for their lives.
Medicaid: A Safety Net Under Threat
Medicaid, a public health insurance program covering approximately 71 million low-income, disabled, and elderly Americans, is the primary target of these cuts. The Republican bill proposes adding work requirements to Medicaid, a move expected to save $715 billion, according to early estimates. However, experts argue that these requirements are burdensome for beneficiaries and fail to effectively encourage employment.
Work Requirements: A Controversial Approach
Studies have shown that work requirements do not significantly push people into the workforce and place an undue administrative burden on beneficiaries. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, points out that requiring work before applying for Medicaid would be particularly challenging for sick Americans.
Beyond Medicaid: Obamacare Also Under Fire
The Republican bill also aims to allow premium tax credits available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to expire. These tax credits help individuals afford health insurance purchased on state-based health insurance exchanges. Eliminating them could further destabilize the health insurance market and leave millions uninsured.
A Looming Health Crisis
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that these combined proposals could result in over 13 million people losing insurance by 2034. Sward emphasized the pointlessness of work requirements, stating that a vast majority of Medicaid recipients who are able to work already do.
Momentum and Deadline
The House proposal to cut Medicaid and Obamacare has advanced out of committee. Speaker Mike Johnson has set a Memorial Day deadline to pass it out of the chamber. The battle over these critical healthcare programs is far from over.
