In mid-February House Republicans narrowly passed a budget framework that is expected to slash the Medicaid budget to provide for tax cuts. Colorado Congressman Jeff Heard was among those who voted in favor of the measure. While President Trump previously said he wouldn't touch mandatory social programs, he approved this budget plan that includes renewing his 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year. In his recent virtual town hall, Congressman Jeff Hurd voiced support for Medicaid with some caveats.
JH: "I do support looking at something like work requirements. We do need to account for students and those who are working and balancing other responsibilities. So that's something that I think we need to take a look at. But certainly we need to account for individual circumstances, uh, when it comes to students and others who are in a position where they may not be able to work as much as others, who are otherwise able-bodied and able to work.
Work requirements are a popular talking point among house Republicans as lawmakers look for ways to whittle down the budget. Polly Anderson with the Colorado Community Health Network says they're an unnecessary barrier to care.
PA: "It's important to know that an estimated 93% of patients on Medicaid who can work already due and work requirements are really just a way to make it more complicated for people to access the benefits. They get caught up in some red tape and lose coverage."
More than 40% of minors in Hurds district depend on government coverage. Statewide, well over a million people rely on this federal healthcare program. If Congress were to cut the Medicaid budget, Colorado could lose up to a billion dollars that it just doesn't have the budget to replace. Hurd says he supports Medicaid access for those who need it, but he argues the current system may not be equitable.
JH: "I'm not sure that Colorado is necessarily getting a fair deal. If you look at the amount of dollars, Medicaid dollars. Per person per capita that come to a state like California, they're getting way more than a state like Colorado is. It seems to me like we should have a more fair allocation of those Medicaid dollars and making sure that we spend them effectively."
While it's true that Colorado's Medicaid spending is much lower than California's, it's important to note that California is facing a Medicaid funding deficit of about 6.2 billion. While Hurd sounds like he's eager to increase the quality of care Coloradans receive, his vote would slash the budget for his constituents and the rest of the country.
JH: "I am committed to making sure that those who need Medicaid the most, the poor, the working poor mothers. Uh, pregnant women, children that they have access to that critical safety net.
That is why Medicaid, uh, was put in place, was to protect the most vulnerable, making sure that we effectively use Medicaid, protect those who most need it is a top priority for me."
The House's budget instructs the Energy and Commerce Committee to find $880 billion in cuts over the next 10 years, and Medicaid is expected to take the biggest hit on March 18th. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that this is the biggest proposed Medicaid cut in history. NPR reports. There were multiple holdouts among moderate Republicans, but ultimately only one Republican representative from Kentucky voted against the budget.
Frustrated with the delay, the Senate passed a competing budget resolution.
The Senate's plan includes $175 billion for border security and 150 billion in military spending. The two chambers will have to come to a consensus before passing any legislation.
This is an ongoing story. KDNK will continue to cover healthcare issues as they arise.
An unlisted campaign video from Congressman Hurd's YouTube channel, promising to protect healthcare in the west: Video
