Medicaid Under Siege: The Battle for America's Health

MEDICAID IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK! The House Energy & Commerce Committee is gearing up to mark up its portion of the budget reconciliation bill in just over a week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. President Trump’s agenda is on the line, and with it, the future of Medicaid. We’ve been sounding the alarm for months, and now the time for action is here. BUY NOW! I mean, FIGHT NOW! for the millions of Americans who rely on this lifeline.

The committee is poised to consider significant funding reductions and policy changes to the Medicaid program. The details are still under wraps, but one thing is clear: THIS IS A BATTLE FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR NATION! We’re talking about access to care for over 72 million people, including seniors, children, and those with disabilities. DO YOU WANT TO BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY?

We’re not backing down. This week, we sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, urging them to STOP THE MADNESS! We’re calling on them to refrain from considering disruptive policy changes to Medicaid. We’ve also issued an Action Alert with new digital tools and resources that hospital and health system leaders can use to FIGHT BACK! Share these sample messages with your teams and community members. IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD!

DON’T LET THEM TELL YOU DIFFERENT! The fight for Medicaid is far from over. The full House of Representatives and Senate will have their say, and YOUR VOICE MATTERS! You live, work, and vote in their districts and states. You have their attention, and you can explain to them the impact these policy proposals would have on their constituents and your ability to provide care.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS! A new report highlights the economic challenges hospitals face. THIS IS A CRISIS! Having the right care team available for patients is the single largest category of hospital spending, accounting for 56% of total costs in 2024. Amid ongoing workforce shortages, hospitals have raised wages to recruit and retain staff, adding financial pressure even as these investments are essential to maintaining care. THIS IS A NO-BRAINER!

THE MARKET HATES UNCERTAINTY! And right now, there’s a lot of it. But one thing is clear: WE CAN’T LET THEM CUT MEDICAID! The practices of certain Medicare Advantage plans, including increased delays, denials, and underpayments, are exacerbating the financial burden faced by hospitals. Tariffs on medical imports could significantly raise costs for hospitals as nearly 70% of medical devices marketed in the U.S. are manufactured exclusively overseas. THIS IS A TICKING TIME BOMB!

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO? Use the digital tools and resources we’ve provided. Reach out to your lawmakers directly. Encourage them to protect access to care. THIS IS YOUR CALL TO ACTION! The Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, of which the AHA is a founding member, continues to run digital and televised national ads, as well as engage its 2.6 million advocates in grassroots advocacy campaigns. JOIN THE FIGHT!

AND REMEMBER, THIS ISN’T JUST ABOUT MEDICAID! It’s about the future of healthcare in America. It’s about the millions of people who rely on this program for their health and well-being. It’s about the hospitals and health systems that provide essential care to their communities. THIS IS A BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF OUR NATION!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Get out there and FIGHT FOR MEDICAID! The future of healthcare in America depends on it. BOO-YAH!