JAYLEN CHRISTIE
Account Supervisor
The National Medical Association (NMA), representing the interests of the 50,000 African American physicians in the U.S., has issued the following advisory regarding Medicaid:
Medicaid is the largest program providing medical and health-related services to low-income people. Millions of individuals and families depend on this vital service for essential health care services. It supports the well-being of children, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families across the country. Additionally, it helps ensure access to healthcare services, prevents financial hardship due to medical costs, and supports the overall health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
What to Know:
Lawmakers are considering two new proposals to decrease federal matching funds that support state Medicaid expansion populations and force severe work reporting requirements that would lead to substantial coverage losses.
The estimates for the number of avoidable deaths that could result from the proposals to cut Medicaid include roughly 34,200 deaths annually if Congress reduces the federal matching rate (FMAP) for Medicaid expansion enrollees, and about 15,400 deaths annually if Congress imposes federal work reporting requirements on expansion enrollees.
Black and Hispanic patients are twice as likely to lose coverage, with Black Americans accounting for 19 percent and Hispanic Americans comprising 30 percent of Medicaid enrollees.
Medicaid provides health care coverage to one in five Americans — more than 70 million people — including 40% of all children and 60% of all nursing home residents.
Without Medicaid, patients will have to resort to emergency room care. Emergency rooms are more costly, placing a financial burden on both patients and health care systems. In particular, emergency rooms that accept Medicaid will face overwhelming demand, which may impact physicians’ well-being and reduce care quality, amid the ongoing physician shortage.
For more information on Medicaid, visit CDC.gov or speak with your healthcare provider.
