U.S. House Republicans are looking to cut Medicaid spending, imposing new restrictions on beneficiaries, and Arizona advocates are urging Congress to prevent the proposed changes. The bill would subject recipients to work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks.
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee will examine cuts to the program today. While the bill does not include some of the more drastic cuts, some argued much is still at stake.
Chuck Albrecht, 67, an Arizona patient, has been living with HIV for more than two decades. He depended on the state's Medicaid program, commonly referred to as AHCCCS*, until he was able to qualify for Medicare. He said without these programs, he is unsure where he would be.
"In regard to Medicaid coverage, people living with HIV and AIDS have had access to quality care," Albrecht pointed out. "They cannot be denied insurance through the ACA (Affordable Care Act) as a result of their HIV status. They have access to medications that maintain their virus and keep our viral loads at undetectable, which keeps us healthy."
Albrecht explained antiretroviral therapy makes it nearly impossible for the virus to be transmitted to others. He added Medicaid is also vital for people to access pre-exposure prophylaxis, which is medication to prevent people from becoming HIV positive. While Democrats are opposed to cuts, some Republicans such as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said slashing health care for the working class is "both morally wrong and political suicide."
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, noted the cuts could be the biggest in the program's history and estimated about 13 million Americans could lose health coverage. She fears progress across the nation could be derailed.
"Requiring more Medicaid expansion adults, like the 52,000 people in Arizona, to pay out-of-pocket costs for certain health care services and undergo eligibility checks every six months," Brooks-LaSure outlined.
Brooks-LaSure added she disagrees with Republican leadership, which claimed the proposed cuts will not hurt anyone who is truly eligible for Medicaid, including seniors, those with disabilities or pregnant mothers and children. Close to 2 million Arizonans are currently covered by ACCCHS.
* Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
