Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Jakob Emerson on Payer Industry Turmoil and the Fallout from Medicaid Cuts
Jul 3, 2025
Jacob Emerson, Associate News Director at Becker's Healthcare, sheds light on the turbulence in the payer industry stemming from recent legislative changes. He analyzes the political fallout of the GOP reconciliation bill, discussing alarming potential cuts to Medicaid and the ACA. Emerson raises concerns about millions potentially losing insurance coverage and the challenges that insurers like Centene and UnitedHealthcare face. The conversation navigates the complexities of Medicaid reform and its looming impact on vulnerable populations and healthcare access.
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Huge Medicaid and ACA Cuts Loom
- The GOP reconciliation package includes nearly $930 billion cuts in Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA over 10 years.
- This will result in 12 million more uninsured people, severely impacting payers and hospitals.
Payers Brace for Enrollment Declines
- Insurers like Centene and UnitedHealthcare face enrollment losses and financial challenges due to Medicaid cuts and ACA tax credit expiration.
- Centene has already pulled 2025 earnings guidance signaling tougher years ahead.
ACA Coverage to Plummet
- The ACA will be effectively gutted by ending premium tax credits, causing marketplace enrollment to drop from 25 million to about half.
- The uninsured rate could increase to around 15%, reversing recent gains.