What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a big health program that helps millions of people get the health care they need. It helps people with disabilities, older adults, people with low incomes, pregnant women, and kids. Medicaid also helps people with disabilities stay at home and live in their communities.
Medicaid is run by both the federal government and each state. The government makes basic rules about who can get Medicaid and how it is paid for. Each state can add extra services or rules to the program in their state.
Why Is Medicaid in Trouble in 2025?
This year, Congress, the President, and other leaders will discuss changes to Medicaid. Many changes would make it harder for people with disabilities to get the help they need.
Here Are Some Changes That May Be Discussed:
- Work Requirements: People who use Medicaid would have to prove they can’t work because of an illness or disability. It would ask people to fill out a lot more paperwork. If someone is not able to keep up with the paperwork, they could lose Medicaid.
- Limits on Provider Taxes: States would have fewer ways to raise money to run Medicaid.
- Block Grants or Per Capita Limits: These plans may not consider how many people need Medicaid. In the end, this would mean less federal money for Medicaid.
- Ending Medicaid Expansion: Fewer people with low incomes could get Medicaid.
- Changes to How States Get Federal Money: Some states would get less money for Medicaid.
All these changes mean cutting Medicaid funding. Medicaid cuts mean that states would have to make tough decisions about Medicaid. States might need to raise taxes, take money from other programs, or change Medicaid services. This could lead to fewer services, longer waitlists, lower pay for doctors and caregivers, and fewer hours of care.
What’s Happening Now?
Right now, Medicaid doesn’t have enough money to pay for everyone who needs it. Over 710,000 people are waiting for services, sometimes for years. Many people still live in institutions or nursing homes instead of at home with their families and friends.
The workers who help people with disabilities, called direct support professionals (DSPs), don’t get paid enough. Because of this, many quit their jobs. This makes it hard for people to get the care they need.
What Does All This Mean?
Instead of making Medicaid better by investing in workers and improving services, the government is talking about cutting Medicaid.
These cuts could hurt millions of people with disabilities and their families. We believe everyone should be able to live with their family and friends and get the care they need. The only way to make this happen is by working together to protect Medicaid.
