Today, House Republicans are marking up the budget resolution they released yesterday that would require Congress to dramatically cut programs to pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy. In particular, they direct the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicaid, to cut nearly $900 billion in federal spending, putting Medicaid funding at grave risk.
These massive cuts threaten the health care of millions of older adults who rely on Medicaid for their health and long-term care needs. Medicaid is not just a safety net; it is a lifeline for seniors. Without it, they could not afford home-based or nursing facility care and would struggle to meet high out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare. The proposed cuts would starve Medicaid, forcing states to reduce spending by cutting access to these essential benefits, leaving older adults without health care and support they need.
And Medicaid is not the only program on the chopping block that supports older adults. The budget resolution also includes deep cuts to SNAP benefits that would make it even harder for older adults to buy groceries.
It is imperative for lawmakers to reject any budget that uses public programs as a piggy bank to fund tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of the well-being of older adults. Instead, Congress should prioritize lowering the costs of health and long-term care for our aging population. We urge lawmakers to be champions for older adults and to ensure they have access to the care and supports they need.
Call your lawmakers and demand that they protect Medicaid for older adults: 866-426-2631.
