On April 14, 12 House Republicans sent a letter to House leadership voicing their opposition to potential Medicaid cuts. The lawmakers said they “will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.” Rep. Mark Amodei should cosign this letter.
The lawmakers noted that: “Cuts to Medicaid also threaten the viability of hospitals, nursing homes, and safety-net providers…. Many hospitals – particularly in rural and underserved areas – rely heavily on Medicaid funding, with some receiving over half their revenue from the program alone. Providers in these areas are especially at risk of closure, with many unable to recover. When hospitals close, it affects all constituents, regardless of healthcare coverage.”
Amodei’s district includes a large area that is rural and underserved. Cuts to Medicaid will likely result in the closure of rural hospitals forcing those who need Medicaid the most – children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and pregnant women – to travel long distances to receive care.
Over one-third of people (166,000) in Amodei’s district rely on Medicaid, including 62,000 covered under the Affordable Care Act expansion. Loss of federal matching funds could lead to a nearly $1.9 billion revenue loss for Nevada over the next two years.
Please call Amodei’s office at 775-686-5760 and ask him to cosign the Republican April 14 letter and fight to keep healthcare for not just rural and underserved populations, but for all his constituents.
Chas Macquarie
Carson City