Congressman Cleaver Joins University Health, Local Health Centers, and Rural Partners for Roundtable on Medicaid

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) joined leaders from University Health, local Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and rural healthcare partners for a roundtable discussion on the impact of Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, specifically, the impact of the largest cut to Medicaid in history on the region’s healthcare providers and the patient populations they serve.

“If you aren’t deeply concerned about the GOP’s Big Ugly Law and the drastic cuts it makes to Medicaid, you should be,” said Congressman Cleaver. “These cuts threaten essential funding that our local hospitals, health centers, and rural health providers rely on to serve our most vulnerable neighbors, ensuring Missouri families will see less access to care and higher costs in the years ahead. Slashing Medicaid not only jeopardizes access to vital services for countless patients in Missouri’s Fifth District and throughout the state – it undermines the stability of the entire healthcare system. I will always stand up to protect these critical services that families depend on and reject policies that put politics ahead of people’s health and wellbeing.”

University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields said, “We sincerely appreciate the Congressman’s interest in Medicaid and how changes could impact people in our area. At University Health, approximately half of our patients are currently on Medicaid. It is our commitment to provide the very best guidance through any changes that might occur, making sure our patients know we’re right here with them ready to simplify the process and provide quality care every step of the way.”

According to independent estimates, Republicans’ Big Ugly Law will kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance and make premiums, deductibles, and copays soar for millions more. The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from healthcare, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history and could cause a $500 billion cut to Medicare. According to one analysis, more than 50,000 people will die annually because of these cuts.

In Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, 159,359 Missourians on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care under the Republican budget plan, including 79,000 children and 15,000 seniors over the age of 65. Moreover, slashing federal funding for Medicaid would leave Missouri with the hard choice of whose coverage and benefits to cut. With few options for how to fill the budget hole left by proposed cuts to Medicaid funding, states will consider cuts to coverage and benefits, leaving more people uninsured and underinsured.

Federal law requires states to cover certain groups of people, while others are optional. With less federal funding for Medicaid, Missouri policymakers may consider cutting coverage for groups like:

• Certain children with disabilities such as children under age 19 who are disabled and living at home.
• Elderly and disabled adults such as those who are institutionalized or eligible for home and community-based services.
• Individuals who need breast or cervical cancer treatment and do not have other treatment coverage.
• Postpartum moms whose pregnancies ended in the prior 12 months.
• Adults with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and behavioral health care needs.
• Missouri also may consider reducing income eligibility levels for mandatory eligibility groups, such as children, pregnant women, and parents/caretakers.

Additionally, cutting federal funding for Medicaid would close health care providers’ doors and reduce the overall quality of services. With more people uninsured and underinsured, providers will experience an increase in uncompensated care. Making matters worse, states are very likely to further cut Medicaid provider rates as another way to make up for the loss in federal funding. This would have devastating impacts on Missouri hospitals who received nearly $2.6 billion in Medicaid payments in 2023, including $1 billion in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and other supplemental payments to offset uncompensated care for Medicaid patients and the uninsured. Community health centers will also bear the brunt of Republican budget cuts to Medicaid – nearly 49% of Missouri community health centers’ revenue came from Medicaid in 2023 and serve patient populations made up of nearly 53% Medicaid recipients.

According to the House Committee on the Budget, the Big Ugly Law will rip healthcare away from an estimated 265,298 Missourians, leave Missourians covered under the Affordable Care Act with an average premium increase of $710, and put four rural hospitals across the state as risk of closure due to Medicaid cuts.

“With this harmful bill now law, our communities face real and immediate threats to the safety net that so many depend on. Cutting Medicaid funding to provide more handouts to the wealthiest members in our community isn’t just bad policy – it’s a direct attack on the health and dignity of the people we serve. We must come together to mitigate this damage and keep fighting for healthcare that works for everyone,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.