Congressman Cleaver Hosts Medicaid Listening Session With Health Care Providers

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) held a listening session with a dedicated collective of health care providers who are at the frontlines of delivering care to the region’s most vulnerable communities. The discussion gave providers an opportunity to share their concerns about the Republican-led budget cuts to Medicaid and the devastating consequences these cuts will have on the health care system, and for thousands of local children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. 

“These cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet,” said Congressman Cleaver. “They mean layoffs resulting in fewer doctors, longer wait times, higher out-of-pocket costs, and life-saving treatment being out of reach for those who need it most. Medicaid is a lifeline for working families, rural hospitals, and community clinics. Gutting its funding to finance tax breaks for the wealthy is not just irresponsible – it’s cruel.”

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.

“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions and the Republican budget plan is both harmful and shortsighted,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Instead of funding tax cuts for billionaires and Wall Street on the backs of our most vulnerable, we should be working to strengthen Medicaid and expand access to care. I will continue fighting against these irresponsible and reckless cuts, because healthcare is a right and not a privilege.”

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.