Advocates say proposed Medicaid cuts already having an effect

(Harrisburg) — Between President Donald Trump’s budget proposal and the GOP-backed health care proposals, concern is growing over Medicaid’s funding.

The talk of major cuts has spooked some people.

First, there’s the American Health Care Act, passed by House Republicans.

It reduces Medicaid spending by more than $800 billion over a decade.

Then, President Donald Trump’s budget plan calls for $600 billion in cuts to Medicaid, which provides health care to very low-income people.

That runs directly against Trump’s promise not to cut Medicaid.

I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid. Huckabee copied me.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2015

Laval Miller-Wilson, executive director of the nonprofit Pennsylvania Health Law Project, says while Trump’s budget is just a proposal, and the House bill hasn’t made it through the Senate, people on Medicaid are noticing.

“Words matter, statements matter, and budgets matter. And even though there is some room for negotiation, the headline reads President Trump, the House bill cuts Medicaid,” says Miller-Wilson.

Miller-Wilson says more people are anxious because of the possibility of funding reductions, and he’s concerned others who might sign up for Medicaid will hold off.

“People feel as though, well these benefits aren’t going to be there. They have this impression, wrongly, but still, that these cuts have gone into effect, that they’re going to happen,” he adds.

On top of traditional hospital care, Medicaid pays for a large portion of long-term care for older Pennsylvanians.