States Are Scrambling to Cut Medicaid Before Trump's Cuts Even Hit

"Through North Carolina's Medicaid program, Maklakoff qualifies for a large slate of medical care in the family's home in Chapel Hill. Fabrello said she works with staffing agencies to arrange services. She also learned to give the care ordinarily performed by a doctor, skilled nurse, or highly trained therapist because she often can't get help. Now, broad cuts to North Carolina Medicaid will make finding and paying for care even more difficult."

"Nationwide, states are scrambling to close budget shortfalls and are eyeing Medicaid, generally one of a state's biggest costs - even before President Donald Trump's hulking tax-and-spending law decreases federal spending on Medicaid by about $1 trillion over the next decade. North Carolina and Idaho have already announced plans to cut Medicaid payments to health care providers, including hospitals, doctors, and caregivers. In Michigan and Pennsylvania - where lawmakers have yet to pass budgets this year - spending on Medicaid is part of those debates."

Alessandra Fabrello has provided almost 18 years of daily medical caregiving for her son, who survived acute necrotizing encephalopathy as an infant. North Carolina Medicaid currently funds extensive in-home medical services, but staffing agencies and family caregivers often fill gaps when professionals are unavailable. Proposed broad cuts to North Carolina Medicaid will reduce provider payments and strain the family's ability to find and afford necessary care. States nationwide are considering Medicaid reductions to close budget shortfalls, and the federal tax-and-spending law will reduce federal Medicaid funding by about $1 trillion over the next decade, prompting varied state responses.

Read at Truthout