Children and families in rural Maine would face the greatest harm should proposed funding cuts to the federal Medicaid program be implemented, according to a new report.
Republicans in Congress are considering more than $2 trillion in cuts to help offset planned tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations, leaving states to make up for any shortfalls.
Rita Furlow, senior policy analyst for the Maine Children’s Alliance, said rural areas are already coping with a shortage of hospitals and obstetric care.
“We may just see providers less willing to provide care in rural parts of the state if there are significant cuts,” Furlow projected.
Furlow pointed out nearly 40% of births in rural Maine are covered by Medicaid. Several rural hospitals have already closed their birthing centers in recent years due to financial constraints, forcing residents to drive farther for health care or go without.
MaineCare already faces a $118 million funding shortfall this year, and Gov. Janet Mills has warned reimbursements to providers may be at risk.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said it would be hard for states like Maine to make up funding gaps. She noted the issue was rarely discussed in the last election and is catching many people off guard.
“There was complete silence about it, despite the fact that it is the largest source of public coverage by far in the United States,” Alker recounted. “It’s also a very popular program with the voters of all political stripes.”
Alker argued lawmakers should view Medicaid as a long-term investment, rather than a waste of taxpayer dollars. She said without ample health care coverage, people are more likely to rely on emergency rooms and children are more likely to miss annual wellness visits, as well as school.
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