13,000 Kansans Face Losing Healthcare: Medicaid Cuts Threaten Communities
13,000 Kansans Face Losing Healthcare: Medicaid Cuts Threaten Communities
A looming crisis threatens the health and well-being of thousands of Kansans. Proposed federal Medicaid cuts, part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” could strip 13,000 residents of their healthcare coverage, according to a new analysis by Manatt Health.
This isn’t just numbers on a page; it’s about real people – children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities – facing the terrifying prospect of losing access to essential medical care. The projected loss of $3.77 billion in funding over the next decade would cripple the state’s healthcare system, leaving a devastating impact on families and communities.
David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Kansas, paints a stark picture: “This is a dire situation…Medicaid plays a big role in both the health of rural Kansans and in the financial health of our rural hospitals.”
The cuts disproportionately affect those already struggling. Manatt Health’s analysis, funded by REACH Healthcare Foundation and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, highlights the challenges in accessing and maintaining Medicaid coverage, even before these potential cuts. The bill makes enrollment harder, potentially pushing thousands more into the uninsured ranks.
While proponents argue the cuts target unnecessary spending, critics counter that it jeopardizes access to care for those who need it most. The analysis reveals that changes to eligibility and enrollment periods, along with the blocking of state provider tax increases, would further destabilize the system, potentially leading to rural hospital closures.
April Holman, executive director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, emphasizes the critical role Medicaid plays in supporting rural hospitals already struggling financially. She warns that increased uncompensated care could force many to shut their doors.
The opposition to these cuts transcends political lines. Prominent Republican Senators Jerry Moran (Kansas) and Josh Hawley (Missouri) have voiced their concerns, echoing the sentiments of a majority of Americans, as revealed in a recent KFF poll showing widespread public opposition to the cuts.
This isn’t just a political debate; it’s about the survival of Kansans and their families. As April Holman poignantly states, “The consumers that we talk to really don’t care about the politics of this issue. They are concerned about surviving.”
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