USofCare Expresses Concern Over Coverage Losses, Potential Increased Costs in Senate Reconciliation Bill

Washington, DC — In light of yesterday’s full release of legislative text from the U.S. Senate with health policy proposals for the FY25 budget reconciliation package, United States of Care issued the following statement: 

“Finding ways to cut costs, reduce waste, and make health care more efficient is a goal that we all share. But that’s not what this bill will do,” said Natalie Davis, CEO and Co-Founder of United States of Care.  “The proposals in this bill would come at the expense of everyday people who simply want their health care to be there when they need it. People already face way too many hurdles affording and accessing  the health care they need. Putting more bureaucratic red tape between people and their coverage is not a step toward making people healthier – it’s forcing 16 million people to jump through hoops without the guarantee of meaningful health care and financial stability.”

Some of the proposed health care changes in this bill that could lead to drastic reductions in coverage and access include: 

• Work reporting requirements that impose additional paperwork burdens on people covered by Medicaid, risking loss of coverage for at least 4.8 million adults.
  
• Premium increases for over 22 million people covered through the Marketplaces nationwide, with an estimated 5.1 million people losing their coverage under the proposed bill.
  
• Restricting tools available to states to finance Medicaid, forcing states with already strained budgets to absorb more of the costs or reduce coverage – along with the increase in covering the cost of uncompensated care.

“We hear from people all across the country – Republicans, Independents, and Democrats in all types of communities – who say that losing their coverage and affording their health care are major sources of anxiety when seeking care,” said Davis. “We urge the Senate to reject these proposals, and instead focus on targeted solutions that will bring down costs, cut waste, and protect people’s coverage.”

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