Congressional leadership recently released a budget blueprint that includes massive cuts to Medicaid — some calling for as much as $2 trillion — all to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations. For years, Congress has targeted key health programs like Medicaid for drastic budget reductions, and now they have the power to push them through. By putting millionaires ahead of Medicaid, they are putting Idaho families, seniors, and people with disabilities at risk.
U.S. Senate Dems issue warning on ‘massive cuts’ to Medicaid predicted in GOP budget
Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, serving as an essential pillar of our health care system. It lowers costs, improves health, supports state economies, and keeps hospitals open. It funds services that allow people to live independently and remain active members of their communities. In a state where 32% of the population is considered “working poor,” Medicaid is a lifeline that upholds Idaho’s values of freedom, independence, family and community.
If these cuts succeed, millions of Americans — including tens of thousands of Idahoans — could lose access to critical care. In Idaho, Medicaid covers more than 45,000 Idaho seniors and adults with disabilities. Nearly 25,000 children with disabilities rely on Medicaid for health coverage, and nearly 20,000 adults with disabilities use home and community-based services.
Medicaid is a primary payer for long-term services and supports, helping seniors and people with disabilities remain in our homes instead of being forced into institutions. Home- and community-based services funded through Medicaid ensure that Idahoans can live with dignity, maintain our independence, and stay connected to our families and communities. For many Idahoans, these services are not just a convenience but a necessity.
Without Medicaid, families will be left to shoulder impossible caregiving costs, forcing many to leave the workforce or struggle financially. Caregiving is already an overwhelming responsibility for many Idaho families, and slashing Medicaid would only make it harder. This threatens not only the well-being of our people but also the economic stability of households across our state. Family caregivers need Medicaid. Idahoans already contribute more than $2 billion in unpaid caregiving. Idaho families are doing their part and Congress needs to have their backs.
Cutting Medicaid would also devastate rural hospitals and community health centers. These health care resources are what literally keep rural Idaho alive. If we truly want thriving rural communities in Idaho, Medicaid is a critical part of the equation.
The truth is, Medicaid cuts don’t just hurt those who rely on it directly — they impact everyone. Over 70 million Americans, including thousands in Idaho, depend on Medicaid for their health care needs. Gutting this program would be devastating for seniors, people with disabilities, children, low-income workers, and the health care providers who serve them.
Idaho has always stood for the values of self-sufficiency, personal responsibility, and taking care of our neighbors. Medicaid embodies these principles by ensuring that our loved ones—whether they are aging parents, children with disabilities, or hardworking families — have access to the care they need. We cannot abandon them to finance tax breaks for the wealthy.
No one voted to take health care away from our most vulnerable neighbors. Now is the time to stand up for the values that make Idaho strong — protecting independence, supporting families, and ensuring our communities thrive.
Congress must understand Medicaid is not up for debate.
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