The national debt debate has taken over the nation and the headlines and Democrats and Republicans try to reach an agreement on how best to attack America’s growing debt problem. Many people are concerned that the focus is misplaced and what we should really be worried about is the cuts that are being proposed.
Specifically speaking, Medicaid health insurance faces some serious cuts and this has many eligible recipients worried. The article “Proposed Medicaid Cuts in Debt Debate Concern Ethnic Health Activists” by Jonah Most on NewAmericaMedia.org, suggests that ethnic women have a special stake in negotiations over the national debt. Medicaid, the health insurance program funded by federal and state governments to assist low-income families, is at risk and this has many ethic, female Americans concerned.
Research shows that Hispanics account for over 1/4 of Medicaid’s participants, and 70% of enrollees are women according to the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Rights. This group of people will disproportionately feel the cuts and seriously affect their families’ well being. Crucial care such as maternity health insurance, pre-natal care, and children services may be sacrificed and this leaves many Americans feeling overwhelmed.
Deborah Reid, a senior attorney at the National Health Law Program, says the negotiated cuts in Washington could result in reduced services or increased copayments for Medicaid enrollees. She is particularly worried about proposals to change Medicaid into block grants to states, instead of making decisions based on a state’s individual needs. Block-granting could involve serious sacrifices in certain parts of the country where there are more Medicaid eligible Americans. Families USA, a consumer health care advocacy group determined that under some proposals Medicaid funding could be cut by up to 1/3. This staggering number will no doubt be felt by struggling Americans, so hopefully the cuts will be made very wisely and over a longer period of time.
Written by Sam Tabes
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