People With Disabilities Raise Concerns That Independence Could Falter Under GOP Medicaid Cuts
Although the federal government does not require it, state Medicaid programs now cover home health assistance for adults with disabilities. Many of these enrollees are concerned that revamping Medicaid's funding formula could threaten that aid. Meanwhile, news outlets also look at how the changes would affect Texas and Colorado.
Stateline:
Disabled Fear Medicaid Cuts Will Diminish Their Independence
In every state, Medicaid now covers at least some home- and community-based services for the disabled, including health aides, adaptive equipment and transportation. But the federal government does not require such coverage under Medicaid, as it does services such as doctor’s visits, nursing home care and laboratory tests. That means states may be tempted to drop the home-based services for the disabled first if federal Medicaid money dwindles and they have to find savings. (Ollove, 3/17)
NPR:
Low-Income, Elderly, And Disabled Likely To Be Hit Hard By GOP Medicaid Cuts
Many in Texas are keeping a close eye on the Republican bid to replace the Affordable Care Act. One of the big changes is how it would affect low-income people, seniors, and people with disabilities who get help from Medicaid. And people on both sides of the political spectrum say the Lone Star State is not going to fare well. (Lopez, 3/17)
Denver Post:
Colorado Could Lose Out On $14 Billion In Federal Medicaid Funding Under GOP Health Plan, Report Finds
Colorado would lose out on $14 billion in federal funding for Medicaid by 2030 if Congress repeals the Affordable Care Act and replaces it with the Republican-backed plan known as the American Health Care Act, according to a new report Thursday. The report, by the nonpartisan Colorado Health Institute, also found that 600,000 fewer people would likely be covered by Medicaid in the state by 2030 than if the current law remains in place. That group represents people who would have been covered by expanded Medicaid eligibility rules that the American Health Care Act would phase out. Because those people would have low, though not quite poverty-level, incomes, the Colorado Health Institute predicts that many of them would be unable to afford insurance in the private market and would instead go without. (Ingold, 3/16)
