Proposed Medicaid Cuts Could Leave 30,000 Nebraskans Uninsured, New Study Finds
A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School and Public Citizen warns that proposed cuts to Medicaid currently being debated in the Senate could result in 30,000 Nebraskans losing their health insurance. The study’s authors applied data from existing research to forecast the implications of such legislative changes, revealing significant risks to public health and the sustainability of healthcare services in the state.
A Growing Crisis
Currently, around 122,000 Nebraskans are uninsured, and according to the study, the potential Medicaid cuts would lead to a 25% increase in this number. Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, the senior author of the study, pointed out that most individuals who lose Medicaid coverage struggle to secure alternative insurance. Consequently, many would be left without necessary medical care. “Most people who lose Medicaid are not able to find other insurance, and they have to go without medical care,” Woolhandler affirmed, highlighting that the loss of Medicaid would drastically limit access to preventive care and essential medications.
The repercussions of such cuts extend beyond individual health. The study also projects a troubling increase in mortality rates, estimating that an additional 66 deaths could occur annually in Nebraska as a result of the proposed changes.
Impact on Nebraska’s Hospital System
Nebraska’s healthcare infrastructure is already under strain, and the proposed Medicaid cuts could exacerbate these issues. Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, warned of dire consequences for the state’s hospitals. He noted that rural hospitals have been particularly affected, with several having closed recently or significantly reduced their services. “We’ve had a couple of rural hospitals close in recent years,” Nordquist said. “One just recently closed down their inpatient unit, and now all they have left open is their emergency room.” This situation forces patients in rural areas to travel 50 to 70 miles to receive care.
“The cuts could lead to further hospital closures, similar to those we’ve experienced,” Nordquist added, emphasizing the precarious condition of nearly half of Nebraska’s hospitals, which are already struggling to remain operational. This precariousness is compounded by the additional $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts being considered at the federal level, he noted.
Financial Burdens and Long-term Consequences
If federal funding is reduced, Nebraska would bear the financial burden of replacing the lost funds—a commitment unlikely to be supported by the state legislature, as Nordquist suggests. “It’s very unlikely that the legislature would have extra dollars to put in to offset the federal cuts,” he explained. This scenario could lead to irreversible outcomes, including permanent hospital shutdowns, which would cripple the state’s healthcare services.
“Medicaid is a key part of how hospitals sustain their finances,” Nordquist reiterated. He warned that cutting Medicaid would not only affect those currently insured under the program but could also have widespread ramifications for the entire community in Nebraska, affecting even those who do not rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs.
Call to Action
Nordquist urged Nebraska’s congressional delegation to advocate against the proposed Medicaid cuts. The state faces a pivotal moment that could define the future of its healthcare system and overall public health.
KETV NewsWatch 7 reached out to U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer for their comments on the matter but has yet to receive a response.
As the debate continues, the lives of tens of thousands of Nebraskans hang in the balance, underscoring the critical importance of maintaining accessible healthcare and support for vulnerable populations across the state.