Members are divided on how to handle Medicaid funding.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee released markups for the proposed federal budget on Sunday night, with the majority advocating for budget cuts and significant changes to Medicaid. These changes include more frequent eligibility checks on beneficiaries and altering how states can raise their share of Medicaid funding.
“Medicaid waste and abuse threatens the well-being of America’s most vulnerable as the looming expiration of important 2017 tax reforms throws a shadow over U.S. industry,” Chairman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky wrote.
The committee’s ranking member Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey objected to the proposed markups, claiming that the bill would cause millions of Americans to “lose their health care coverage, hospitals will close, seniors will not be able to access the care they need, and premiums will rise for millions of people.”
However, Chair Guthrie stated, “In reality, it preserves and strengthens Medicaid for children, mothers, people with disabilities, and the elderly—for whom the program was designed.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chair Guthrie and Ranking Member Pallone as they head the Energy and Commerce Committee.
- For wisdom for Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Thune as they seek to reconcile the budget legislation.
Sources: Roll Call, Fierce Healthcare
