As part of our ongoing Situation Report updates, today's edition focuses on the intensified debate over proposed Medicaid cuts by Congressional Republicans, highlighting significant concerns about health coverage and funding. AcademyHealth continues to lead engagement efforts in Washington, emphasizing Medicaid's vital role in providing health care access to over 80 million Americans. Through our rigorous campaigns and bipartisan engagement, we underscore the importance of this critical program and encourage experts and constituents to communicate their concerns to their representatives, ensuring well-informed decision-making.

In today’s issue: 

  • Republican Push for Medicaid Cuts Sparks Fierce Debate Over Health Coverage and Funding
  • AcademyHealth Medicaid Advocacy Actions and How You Can Help
  • Support Federally Funded Health Services Research
  • What We’re Reading and Other Resources

Republican Push for Medicaid Cuts Sparks Fierce Debate Over Health Coverage and Funding

Republicans in Congress are advancing proposals to significantly cut Medicaid funding, aiming to finance tax cuts and border security initiatives. These efforts could impact coverage for 79 million low-income and disabled Americans, as well as the financial stability of hospitals and community health centers. While Senate Republicans have not proposed cuts as drastic as the House's $880 billion target, concerns persist about work requirements, reduced federal funding, and block grant proposals that could shrink Medicaid's reach. Democrats, hospitals, and consumer advocates are pushing back, emphasizing Medicaid’s role in covering births, nursing home care, and reducing the uninsured rate. With Medicaid expansion now entrenched in many states, even some Republicans worry about potential hospital closures and economic fallout from funding reductions. The program’s popularity—supported by three-quarters of Americans—makes these proposed cuts politically contentious, with uncertain prospects for passage. You can learn more via NPR and POLITICO’s coverage.

AcademyHealth Medicaid Advocacy Actions and How You Can Help

As part of our mission to improve health and health care for all, AcademyHealth advocates in Washington for the funding, data, and training necessary to produce better evidence, as well as the use of evidence to inform better decision making. This includes actively sharing relevant research to inform policymaking.

Recently, we have been actively engaged in educating members of congress about the potential impact of Medicaid cuts and highlighting the evidence around this vital program, engaging with staff from the House and Senate Budget Committees, as well as the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Finance, Ways and Means, and various targeted congressional offices. Additionally, in case you missed it, our President and CEO, Aaron Carroll, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times (gift article here) highlighting the research showing the damaging effect of these proposals. 

If you are an expert in Medicaid, we encourage you to consider calling your representatives to educate them about your findings. You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Senator or Representative’s office, or find Representatives’ direct office lines here and Senators’ direct office lines here. Please see below for a sample phone script to use when calling your representative and sharing information about the potential impact of cuts to the Medicaid program. 

Hello,

My name is [Your Name], and I’m from [Town/City]. I am both a constituent of [Senator] / [Congressman/woman] and serve as [Your Position] at [Organization Name].

I’m reaching out as a researcher studying the effects of Medicaid policies. I have seen firsthand how this program strengthens communities. [Optional: Share a brief story or key finding from your research/personal anecdote] 

Medicaid provides essential support to children, pregnant individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities in my community. Their access to coverage and health care is a bipartisan issue that deeply impacts the constituents you represent. I appreciate your time and urge you to rely on the rigorous research and evidence our field undertakes when considering options to improve the Medicaid program. As an expert and a constituent, I’d be happy to meet with your staff to talk through the various options and tradeoffs.

Thank you.

Support Federally Funded Health Services Research

In a new AcademyHealth blog post, AcademyHealth Director of Government Affairs Josh Caplan highlights how the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is critical to newly sworn-in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. efforts to Make America Healthy Again. AHRQ’s proven track record in improving health outcomes makes it an essential tool for achieving his vision. You can read the blog here. 

As mentioned in previous updates, the Friends of the AHRQ have released an opportunity for organizations to sign on to a letter to Congress calling on the Agency to be fully funded in FY26. You can read the letter and have your organization sign it here. The deadline is February 27. If you want to join the Friends listserv, email us at Advocacy@academyhealth.org.

What We’re Reading and Other Resources

Commentary Highlights State & Local Experience 

In a recent commentary published in one of AcademyHealth’s official journals, Milbank Memorial Fund President Christopher F. Koller examines how federal changes are affecting state and local health systems. Key topics include disruptions to public health services like Medicaid and disease surveillance, challenges with interpreting new policies, and the impact of workforce reductions. The article also highlights the strain on state officials as they navigate funding uncertainties and legal challenges. Read the article here.

HealthBegins Webinar Examines Risks and Opportunities for Health Equity Work

A Feb. 25 free webinar will cover facts about current policy threats to health equity and social needs, get tools to assess risks to your organization and your mission, and identify a menu of actions to help respond to this moment. In this webinar, expert panelists explain how to respond and protect your employees, patients, and communities from policies and actions that are putting people in harm’s way. Register here. 

Previous Updates

This is the fifth in a series of Situation Report updates from AcademyHealth. You can find prior issues below: 

 

 

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