This week, the United States Senate passed legislation that jeopardizes the health and lives of patients in Massachusetts and across the country. Despite commendable and enduring efforts from the Massachusetts congressional delegation, the Senate has proposed one of the most harmful federal health care actions in our nation’s history, with financial and coverage consequences far exceeding the House’s proposed legislation. Removing safety net coverage for Medicaid patients, the undeniable result of the policies included in this package, will disrupt and eliminate access to quality, affordable health care, eroding a fundamental human right.
These Medicaid cuts will make our patients sicker, threaten the quality and longevity of their lives, and jeopardize coverage for millions, undermining the stability of our health care system. In Massachusetts, hundreds of thousands will lose coverage, and billions of dollars of necessary federal support for MassHealth and SNAP programs will be lost. More than 2 million MassHealth enrollees – including our children, elderly, disabled, military veterans, and underserved patients – will be especially harmed. The budget gap created by these cuts will be irreconcilable, financially distressing, and further destabilize the Commonwealth’s health care system.
The Massachusetts Medical Society will continue to work collaboratively with partners across the nation to oppose these dangerous cuts aggressively and, if need be, to find solutions to the problems caused by this reconciliation legislation should it come to pass. We remain committed to ensuring that high-quality, affordable health care is accessible to all.
-Olivia Liao, MD, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
