A group of Republican members of Congress, including Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), called on House and Senate leaders to keep protections for Medicaid in the final version of the federal budget bill.
In a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, the lawmakers said they support the Medicaid reforms in the House-passed bill (H.R. 1), but are concerned about changes made in a newer proposal released by the Senate Finance Committee.
The Senate passed its version of the bill earlier this week.
The members wrote that the Senate version of the bill could negatively affect hospitals, limit funding options for states, and place new restrictions on how states run their Medicaid programs. They said these changes could make it harder for hospitals to provide care and for people to keep their health coverage.
The letter specifically mentioned concerns about:
- Limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments
- Different treatment of expansion and non-expansion states
- Short timelines for hospitals to adjust to budget changes
- Cuts to emergency Medicaid
- Penalties for expansion states
- Changes to rules affecting adults with dependents
“These changes would place additional burdens on hospitals already stretched thin by legal and moral obligations to provide care,” the letter said.
The letter was signed by 16 House Republicans, including Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), Rep. Young Kim (CA), Rep. Don Bacon (NE), and others.
The lawmakers said they want to work with leadership to make sure the final version of the bill supports both budget goals and healthcare needs in their districts.
