1A What Medicaid Cuts Mean For Americans
Jul 16, 2025
Julie Rovner, Chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, Brian Blaze, former health policy advisor to Trump and founder of Paragon Health Institute, and Kim Bemstaffer, Executive Director of Colorado's Medicaid program, delve into the ramifications of proposed Medicaid cuts. They discuss potential insurance losses for millions, the threats to rural hospitals, and the complexities of legislative efforts. The conversation highlights personal stories from impacted families and explores how these policy changes could reshape healthcare access across the U.S.
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Many Medicaid Adults Already Work
- Most adults on Medicaid already work full or part-time or are caretakers, ill, disabled, in school, or retired.
- Work requirements mostly affect a small group, but risk cutting coverage for those eligible due to administrative hurdles.
States Shift Medicaid Costs to Feds
- States use complex financing schemes to shift costs to the federal government which inflates federal Medicaid spending.
- Limiting these schemes may reduce funds states use to pay hospitals, risking cuts or tax increases.
Rural Hospital Prepares for Cuts
- Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System relies on Medicaid for about 10% of its budget and expects cuts to force wage freezes.
- They defer equipment replacement and avoid filling even essential positions to prepare for unknown financial impacts.