Medicaid Support for Essential Care at Risk

Recent reductions in Medicaid coverage and payments for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries are projected to increase hospital uncompensated care costs by $466 billion over the next 10 years. These cuts will disproportionately harm essential hospitals, jeopardize access to lifesaving services that communities rely on, and have ripple effects on local economies.

Why Medicaid Matters

Medicaid covers 21 percent of Americans, or 79 million people. 41 percent of all births are covered by Medicaid. Families, children, and seniors all depend on the program to stay healthy and productive. Essential hospitals care for more people with Medicaid coverage than other hospitals. They also provide critical emergency services, outpatient care, and train tomorrow’s workforce. Medicaid is vital to allowing essential hospitals to connect their patients to care.

Medicaid cuts threaten the health of communities across the nation

What Can Congress Do?

Congress should ensure that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not reduce Medicaid funding by more than what Congress intended

Protect Essential Care

Congress should protect care for the most vulnerable Medicaid patients by ensuring they have the resources they need to access care.

Designate Essential Hospitals

Ensure that resources go to where they are needed most by establishing a federal designation of essential hospitals. Learn why essential hospitals are different.