APHA Chides the House for Its Passage of Budget Resolution that Calls for Draconian Cuts to Medicaid

Washington, D.C., March 18, 2005 - We are greatly disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday failed to follow the Senate's lead in shielding the Medicaid program from debilitating cuts. The roughly $20 billion in reductions over five years approved by the House are more than double the administration's proposed cuts over the same time period, greatly jeopardizing the security of the source of primary and preventive health care for 50 million of our nation's citizens.

"The actions of the House are short-sighted and misguided. By attempting to achieve deficit reduction on the backs of our most vulnerable, including children and lower-income Americans, we place their health at risk and will ultimately pay higher health care costs in treating disease.

"We hope that these members will go back to their districts and learn about the impact of the cuts in their communities. How will local officials find the revenue streams to fund needed health programs? How many more uninsured and underinsured residents will result? How will this affect the access to critical prevention services? How will this affect the demand for emergency health services? We encourage Americans to contact their representatives and tell them how the paring of Medicaid will impact their lives.

"The Senate took a courageous stand in protecting Americans' access to health care; we hope the House will rethink its position that strips funding from an invaluable entitlement program that is a lifeline for millions. We urge the conference committee to adopt the Senate's position and protect Medicaid and the health of Americans."