Consumers Union, the policy arm of nonprofit Consumer Reports, writes to express our concern regarding the fundamental changes to the financing and structure of the Medicaid program in the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and similar changes the Senate might consider as it works on companion legislation. These proposed changes would reduce the scope and quality of coverage for the most vulnerable Americans and eliminate coverage altogether for millions more. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the proposed reductions in federal matching contributions to the program will result in “14 million fewer Medicaid enrollees by 2026, a reduction of about 17 percent relative to the number under current law.”
As an organization whose founding principles include ensuring access to quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans, Consumers Union opposes these broad changes to Medicaid, which will threaten the health and financial well being of those most in need.