Democrat Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith Republican support plan that can cut $1.5 trillion in federal spending Over the next ten years, It may affect Medicaid.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are concerned about potential cuts in programs that support more than 72 million low-income and individuals with disabilities nationwide. It's more than one in five Americans.
During a virtual press conference Thursday morning, Smith said it would hurt both residents of major Minnesota city residents and Twin City residents.
“A very important thing for rural hospitals is insurance. Without Medicaid, rural hospitals in our state will basically go out of business,” Smith said. “And if you're concerned about Hennepin Healthcare, if you're in Healthcare in Hennepin County, Hennepin Healthcare can't exist without Medicaid.”
The Minnesota Department of Human Services says 1.3 million Minnesotans are participating in Medicaid, and department leaders say the potential impact is still unknown.
Minnesota has received $11.2 billion in Medicaid funds, which is expected to increase to $14.5 billion by 2029.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the federal government covers more than half of the costs associated with the program and almost all costs for those based on the expansion of Medicaid.
However, under the proposed cuts, the Energy and Commercial Committee overseeing Medicaid is I was tasked with finding a savings of $880 billion.
GOP US House speaker Mike Johnson said Medicaid did not guarantee that the program would remain untouched, despite not specifically pointing out in the budget resolution. Other GOP leaders have totally said that Medicaid will not be affected.
All Republican US representatives in Minnesota voted in favor of the House budget resolution. Fourteen Minnesota senators and representatives wrote to GOP members of the Congressional delegation, citing concerns about the impact and urged them to push back the cuts. “There is no other source that constitutes a lost federal share beyond serious impact on our older people and the people with disabilities we serve. This goes against how our Republicans respect the elderly and the vulnerable.”
Rep. Brad Finstad wrote that Tuesday's vote was “a procedural step to unlock the budget adjustment process and a procedural step that allows serious conversations about Washington's out-of-control spending.
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