GOP budget plan could cut Medicaid from 630,000 Virginians
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U.S. House Republicans passed a budget resolution last week calling for up to $2 trillion in spending cuts — a move nearly impossible to do without cutting Medicaid.
Why it matters: Virginia is one of nine states with a "trigger" law automatically ending expanded Medicaid coverage if federal funding drops below 90%.
By the numbers: If that were to happen, nearly 630,000 Virginians would lose coverage, according to the latest data from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services, which oversees the state's Medicaid program.
- More than 85,000 live in the Richmond area.
- Nearly all are below the federal poverty level, which is about $25,000 for a family of three.
Threat level: Julian Walker, a spokesperson for the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, told Axios any changes to Medicaid expansion funding "would have a significant impact in Virginia on patients, on providers, on access to care and on the economy."
- And hospitals, especially rural ones, would be unable to front additional costs.
Zoom in: The federal budget resolution calls for $880 billion in cuts over 10 years for the committee that handles health care spending, including Medicaid.
Reality check: The proposal still has a long way to go before it reaches the finish line, and there's a chance it could become law without major Medicaid cuts.
- President Trump — who's pushed the GOP budget plan — has said Medicaid won't be touched, but that "we are going to look for fraud," Axios' Caitlin Owens reports.
- Facing backlash, many Republicans have expressed concerns about slashing the program too deeply.
Yes, but: Without Medicaid, achieving those major spending cuts "won't be easy," the New York Times reports.
What's next: Virginia lawmakers sent proposed budget language to Gov. Youngkin, now under his review, outlining what to do if there's at least $100 million in federal grant cuts.
- It doesn't specifically mention Medicaid, however, and VPM reports a budget amendment seeking to remove the trigger law failed to pass several weeks ago.
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