(The Center Square) – Democrats representing Arizona in Washington, D.C., have responded to new reports about Medicaid cuts and their projected impact on families.
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and Arizona Chamber Foundation warn Medicaid cuts proposed by the Trump administration and Republicans would be devastating to families, seniors and people with disabilities.
Researchers also say cuts would harm Arizona’s health care system.
And cutting Medicaid will lead to a recession, said U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona.
“That means rural healthcare providers will lose their jobs, hospitals will close their doors, people will be forced to rely on the ER for basic care, and hardworking Arizonans will foot the bill,” Gallego said in a press release.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, commenting in the same press release, said this is not just some budget line item, it is people and livelihoods.
“These reports make clear what’s at stake not just for folks on Medicaid, but for our state’s health care system and economy, and I’ll keep working to stop these harmful cuts,” said Kelly, who recently launched a Social Security War Room to “fight back” against changes to Social Security.
Two other Arizona Democrats, U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari, made similar comments.
The Center Square sought reaction from the Republican Party of Arizona and received no response. The same goes for every Republican representing Arizona in the U.S. House.
The reports from AHCCS and Arizona Chamber Foundation show that nearly two million Arizonans rely on Medicaid for health coverage. Democrats concerned about Medicaid cuts say that, in some rural and tribal counties in Arizona, nearly half of all residents are enrolled in Medicaid.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Chamber Foundation estimates nearly 37,000 jobs would be lost from a $1 billion reduction in Medicaid spending. Those job cuts would also cause a $14 billon reduction in labor income and less money for Arizona’s economy, the foundation said.
The Trump administration has repeatedly said it is not cutting Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. Instead, a White House Fact Sheet says the administration is working with Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to go after waste and fraud in entitlement spending.
