Get the Facts: How could potential Medicaid cuts affect Kentucky families?
How could potential Medicaid cuts affect Kentucky families?
Congressman Morgan McGarvey hosted a roundtable on Wednesday focused on potential cuts to Medicaid.
The U.S. House passed a budget resolution, which would lead the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Kentucky Congressman Brett Guthrie, to cut $880 billion over the course of 10 years.
Experts and Democratic leaders, such as McGarvey, say these cuts would most likely come from Medicaid.
According to McGarvey's office, more than 200,000 people here in Louisville alone rely on Medicaid, and around half that number are kids under the age of 19.
Healthcare leaders and families of Medicaid recipients attended the roundtable, including Megan Bowden.
Bowden says her 10-year-old daughter June McQuaig, who they call Junie, is a miracle.
Diagnosed with a disability, doctors told Bowden when Junie was born that she may not live a year.
"We're absolutely overjoyed that we have gotten a decade to hang out and have so much fun with June."
Since birth, Junie has needed a lot of medical care맥스카지노expensive care, like more than $100,000 in cochlear implants. Without Medicaid, her daughter wouldn't get the help she needs.
"She's getting ready to have another surgery to help her scoliosis," said Bowden. "That will be at least $400,000."
"Medicaid is a life-saving program that has absolutely leveled the playing field for our family," Bowden added.
Junie is one of 1.4 million Kentuckians who rely on Medicaid.
"These Medicaid cuts are beyond cruel," said McGarvey. "They're going to close hospitals in Kentucky. They're going to deny people life-saving care that they need."
Thirty percent of people in both McGarvey's and Guthrie's districts rely on Medicaid.
This comes as the Kentucky State Legislature is looking to make changes to Medicaid through House Bill 695.
"I think it's really obvious right now that the state legislature is trying to mimic Donald Trump and Elon Musk and trying to outdo that here at home," said McGarvey. "And it's not going to work."
Bowden says losing Medicaid will impact everyone.
"This helps anyone in the community맥스카지노veterans, older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and children who have high medical needs," said Bowden.
The U.S. House resolution now sits in the Senate.