Your Voice Matters – And It’s Making a Difference
If you’re wondering if your voice matters – it does. Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee postponed a scheduled hearing after receiving overwhelming feedback from people across the country.
What’s Happening in Congress
This week the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee passed a bill that would cut Medicaid funding by tens of billions of dollars. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this could lead to approximately 8.6 million people losing their Medicaid coverage.
Congress is still debating significant changes to Medicaid as part of a larger budget plan. The proposed changes include:
- Requiring some people to work in order to keep their coverage
- More frequent income checks and stricter rules for proving eligibility
The committee did not change how much the federal government pays for Medicaid expansion. Right now, the federal government pays 90% of the costs for adults who get Medicaid through expansion. However, future budget talks could revisit this issue. Some lawmakers continue to advocate for reducing the expansion’s federal match to save money. Virginia has a “trigger law” tied to its Medicaid expansion program, meaning that if the federal government reduces its funding, the state’s expanded Medicaid coverage will automatically end.
Who Depends on Medicaid
One in five Americans rely on Medicaid for basic health and long-term care. It’s not just for the very poor — it’s for working families, older adults, children, and people with disabilities.
Why it Matters to Everyone
- Administrative burdens could result in eligible individuals losing coverage
- Without Medicaid support, hospitals — especially in rural areas — may have to cut services or even close, leading to job losses, longer wait times, and fewer care options for everyone.
Important Details to Consider
Yes, it’s important to address fraud, waste and abuse in any federal program. It’s also important to know that currently:
- Medicaid has one of the lowest fraud rates of any federal program. Most overpayments are due to paperwork errors, not fraud.
- Most people on Medicaid are already working — or are children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
- The ACA expansion helps cover people in low-wage jobs like home health care, food service, and childcare.
The Bigger Picture
Our health care system — and the health of our communities — depends on steady, thoughtful investment. From rural towns to big cities, Medicaid plays a vital role in keeping us all healthier and stronger.
Take Action: Speak up for Medicaid
The Energy and Commerce Committee has made its recommendations. Now, the House Budget Committee will review the proposal. During this stage, changes are still possible. If passed, the bill will move on to the full House and Senate for a vote.
- Call your Members of Congress today. You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov.
- Send a letter using the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s draft: https://thenationalcouncil.quorum.us/campaign/107658/.