The AAP, along with four other national physician groups, are calling on Congress to reject cuts to Medicaid.
Congressional budget proposals call for billions of dollars in cuts over the next decade and structural changes to various health care programs, including Medicaid.
“For decades, the Medicaid program has provided health care coverage for millions of people, including children and parents, low-income adults, older adults, pregnant patients, individuals with mental health and substance use disorders, and individuals with disabilities, in communities large and small, urban and rural,” the statement said.
The AAP joined the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians and American Psychiatric Association in calling for Medicaid to be protected. The five organizations represent more than 400,000 physicians who serve millions of patients.
“Cuts to Medicaid will have grave consequences for patients, communities and the entire health care system,” the statement reads. “With reduced federal funding, it will be harder for patients to access care, states will be forced to drop enrollees from coverage and it will limit the health care services patients can access and cut payment rates. Slashing already-low Medicaid payment rates will make it even harder for physicians to provide care to people covered under Medicaid and will ultimately increase health care costs as patients are forced to forgo vital preventive care.”
According to a KFF poll, two-thirds of U.S. adults say they have had some connection to the Medicaid program, through their own coverage or coverage of a loved one. The poll shows 31% of adults have had a child covered by Medicaid. In addition, more than three-fourths of the public have either a “very favorable” (37%) or “somewhat favorable” (40%) view of the program.
“The impact of cuts to Medicaid funding is significant and wide-reaching, and it must be reconsidered,” the statement reads. “Medicaid is a lifeline for our nation’s most vulnerable — from visits with a primary care physician, to maternal health care and pediatrics, to labor and delivery services, to behavioral health and to preventive care that saves lives. To that end, it is of the utmost importance that Congress protect this vital program.”
