Critical Health Care Programs & Funding At Risk Amid Chaotic and Confusing Federal Funding Freeze

Washington, DC — In response to the federal funding freeze instituted by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which puts critical aspects of people’s health care at risk, United States of Care issued the following statement: 

“People want the certainty that their health care will be there when they need it. Chaos and confusion like what is happening today amid this federal funding freeze is the opposite of certainty,” said United States of Care CEO and Co-Founder Natalie Davis. “This new directive issued by OMB puts in jeopardy critically-needed and broadly-supported health care priorities and programs – many of which are so essential, they even remain operational during a government shutdown. 

“This will directly impact people in every state – red, blue, and purple. We know that people across party lines just want to be healthy, and that means a health care system they can count on. Freezing funding for programs that touch every community isn’t a step towards improving people’s health – it’s a step into the unknown for millions. I call on the OMB to reconsider this freeze while the impact is evaluated, and to put an end to this confusion and chaos.”

United States of Care will continue to monitor what’s affected by this freeze and its impact on people across the country, including:

• Millions of people and families’ dependable coverage through critical programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the Medical Assistance Program.
• People’s access to important preventive care services across the country, along with maternal and child health services, substance abuse services, and community-based health services.
• Teaching health centers, public health training, and public health emergency preparedness that strengthen our public health infrastructure. 
• Enrollment support for affordable coverage like the Affordable Care Act Exchange Navigators. 
• Programs that help ensure people have access to dependable quality health insurance that meets their needs in their state, like Basic Health Plans and state public options.

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