Family Physicians Have a Strong Case for Protecting Medicaid

With Congress again taking up the federal budget, it’s been widely reported that the Republican majority plans to target Medicaid for substantial funding cuts. These adjustments could take the form of work requirements, changes to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, per capita spending, incentives for block grants or some combination thereof. The lawmakers touting such reductions have characterized Medicaid as a failing program and said their goal for it is reform.

The trouble with attempting to reform something by decreasing its resources is that less is never more. Less is always less. And it’s the AAFP’s position that less for Medicaid — less funding and, ultimately, less patient care — would be bad for the 72 million Americans who rely on the program for their health care.

Among the large segment of Americans for whom Medicaid is essential are low-income individuals, children, pregnant patients, elderly adults and people with disabilities. More than 40% of births in the United States are covered by Medicaid. And enrollment remains at an all-high time following the pandemic, when Medicaid proved again its power to save lives. You know this because most family physicians treat at least some Medicaid patients.

Given these facts, we know that any policy weakening Medicaid stands to harm not just the program’s beneficiaries but also the health care system at large. We know that cuts to Medicaid will yield reduced access to primary care, higher use of emergency departments, worsening health disparities, increased uncompensated care for clinicians and significant local economic impacts.

That’s why we are telling Congress: Now is not the time to cut benefits for beneficiaries.

On Feb. 12, AAFP President-elect Sarah Nosal, M.D., FAAFP, testified in a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing titled “Optimizing Longevity: From Research to Action.” She centered her remarks on what she has seen firsthand in her practice, caring for patients across the lifespan and welcoming Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries.

“Medicaid serves a critical need, providing coverage for patients and sustaining community health centers delivering care to these struggling communities,” she said. Dr. Nosal added that, given what we know about Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing higher levels of food insecurity and other challenges, the nation must invest in Medicaid and related health care initiatives, not pull back.

This stance is shared among the primary care community. The Academy’s call to protect Medicaid from budget cuts has been joined by four partners: the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians, and the American Psychiatric Association.

We also are continuing our advocacy as part of the Partnership for Medicaid, a nonpartisan coalition that includes clinicians, safety-net health plans and counties among its nationwide membership.

I urge you to add your voice and share your own practice stories by joining this Speak Out campaign.

You can make a difference. We believe there are lawmakers who have significant reservations about undermining Medicaid. Your members of Congress need to hear from family physicians today.