The reconciliation bill currently before Congress contains proposed changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that may create new obstacles for eligible patients seeking coverage. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are vital programs, providing access to health care services for nearly 80 million people across the United States.
According to a statement from the American Medical Association and other national specialty and state medical societies, “These changes would disproportionately impact rural and underserved areas, and we [the American Medical Association and other national specialty and state medical societies] urge Congress to ensure that efforts to curb fraud and abuse do not result in loss of access to care for millions of patients.”
In addition, the draft legislation includes provisions that could restrict access to loans and loan forgiveness programs for medical students. This is raising concerns about its effect on the physician workforce at a time when demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise.
“If the Senate fails to strengthen the legislation by preserving Medicaid and ACA protections, millions of our country’s most vulnerable patients are at risk of losing the access to care they so desperately need,” said representatives from leading medical organizations.
Advocates are urging members of the public to contact their Senators. They call for preservation of Medicaid and ACA coverage for those who qualify, protection of loan programs critical for future physicians, and support for long-term Medicare payment reforms that account for inflation.
