ENA Raises Concern on Cuts to Medicaid Program

“Earlier today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation as part of the federal budget reconciliation package, which includes additional cuts to the Medicaid program that would further limit access to care in our nation’s hospitals and, by extension, emergency departments.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Senate bill would reduce Medicaid spending by $930 billion and increase the number of people without health insurance by approximately 11.8 million by 2034, as compared to the current law. On top of the provisions contained in the House-passed bill, the Senate version also makes additional reductions to the program, including limiting Medicaid state-directed payments to hospitals, which are aimed at increasing both access to and quality of care.

With Medicaid being the top insurance program utilized by emergency department patients, these program changes and funding reductions will result in restricted Medicaid enrollment, fewer people having access to primary care and less resources for hospitals. 

Emergency departments play a vital role as a health care safety net. However, Medicaid cuts of this magnitude will hurt Americans in need of medical coverage and hinder the ability of dedicated emergency nurses and other health care workers to provide the best care possible while further straining their well-being and morale to continue doing their vital work.”

- ENA President Ryan Oglesby