Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
A coalition of patient groups is pressuring Congress not to cut Medicaid next year.
Why it matters: As Republicans eye bills using the reconciliation process, changes to Medicaid are on the table, and blowback from patient advocates could hinder cutbacks.
What they're saying: "On behalf of the millions of patients and consumers across the country who face serious, acute, and chronic health conditions, our organizations urge you to protect Medicaid next year, including as part of any budget reconciliation process," the letter to the House and Senate Budget committees states.
- Signers include the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Heart Association.
Driving the news: The letter warns against a variety of changes to Medicaid, including block grants or per capita caps, reducing the federal share of costs (FMAP), or work requirements, warning of coverage losses.
- "For example, under Georgia's work reporting requirement, just 2% of people in the coverage gap have been able to access coverage," it states.
The big picture: It's far from certain that Republicans will try for Medicaid cuts, but the letter is another sign that a major fight looms if they do try.
