Former Republican Congressman Dave Trott, who represented Michigan’s 11th congressional district, is urging lawmakers to preserve access to Medicaid for millions of Michigan residents and people across the country. Protecting the program for vulnerable populations “should be an easy ‘yes,’” Trott explains.
In a recent opinion piece published by The Detroit News, Trott underscores Medicaid’s importance to patients, providers, hospitals and health systems. He warns that proposed federal funding cuts would be “detrimental” to the “already underfunded program,” jeopardizing access to long term care as well as the health and wellbeing of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.
More highlights from Trott’s article are included below:
- “One in four Michiganians rely on Medicaid for essential care. This is nearly 2.6 million people, many of whom are individuals with disabilities and seniors who use the program to access long term care services that allow them to live with dignity in their communities.”
- “Here in Michigan, the Medicaid program is 76% funded with federal dollars. Any reduction in federal support would shift a massive financial burden onto the state, one we are ill-equipped to carry on our own.”
- “Medicaid is a bedrock of our healthcare system. Without it, hospitals and nursing homes, many of which are dealing with tight budgets and staffing shortages, will be pushed to reduce services or shut their doors entirely.”
- “Michigan’s aging population adds even more urgency to this issue. Michiganians 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the state. This dramatic demographic shift will only increase the demand for long term care.”
- “Michigan’s rural communities would be hit especially hard. Care is already harder to come by in these areas of the state than more urban areas. If a hospital or nursing home shuts down in these communities, the next closest facility may be hours away, making it more difficult for patients to receive the care they need.”
- “And when long term care is no longer accessible, seniors are forced to turn to alternative means of care, including hospitals, which are not only less appropriate for their needs, but also more costly to the state and to taxpayers. This creates a ripple effect across the entire healthcare system, leading to overcrowded hospitals and poorer health outcomes.”
Congress must reject harmful Medicaid cuts to ensure that vulnerable populations in Michigan and across the nation can continue to access the essential health care services they need.
For more information on Medicaid’s vital role, visit https://modernmedicaid.org.