According to a recent study conducted by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, rural communities in Arizona would be among the hardest hit if the new Republican-controlled federal government implements its proposed cuts to state Medicaid programs.
President Donald Trump’s plans for the health care program for lower income and disabled Americans remain uncertain. However, there are reports suggesting that some Republicans in Congress are contemplating the implementation of work requirements for Medicaid or potentially restricting the federal government’s financial contributions to the program.
According to Joan Alker, the executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, if the federal government were to cap its contribution, it would create an unsustainable situation for the state. Arizona would not be able to compensate for the difference, resulting in a significant impact on both the healthcare system and the state budget.
According to a report co-authored by Alker, rural communities in Arizona have the highest rates of adults covered by Medicaid in the country. Additionally, the state also has among the highest rates of children covered by the program. Alker emphasized that enrollment is particularly high among Arizona’s Native American communities and its large population of older adults.
According to Alker, rural communities already encounter obstacles when it comes to accessing healthcare. Therefore, reducing Medicaid funding could worsen this issue.
According to Alker, rural areas are particularly vulnerable to Medicaid cuts due to various factors such as lower incomes among families, higher rates of chronic health conditions, and shortages of healthcare providers. These cuts could potentially jeopardize the well-being of rural communities and exacerbate existing healthcare disparities.