Recortes de Medicaid podrían devastar zonas rurales de FL y afectar a niños
Florida News Connection
BY: Trimmel Gomes
A new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families highlights the significant role Medicaid plays in ensuring healthcare access for rural communities in Florida.
The report reveals that rural Floridians face unique challenges, including provider shortages, long commutes, and limited connectivity, all of which makes accessing healthcare more difficult.
Erica Li, a health policy analyst with the Florida Policy Institute, emphasizes the program's importance for the state, noting that more than 52% of children in rural Florida rely on Medicaid or CHIP for their health insurance.
"Medicaid is a critical lifeline for families who need. And the longer that children go without coverage in healthcare, the more risk they are at for poor outcomes and other aspects of their life, such as educational obtainment and other quality of life measures," she explained.
Li underscored that Florida ranks fourth nationally for the share of children in rural areas relying on Medicaid and CHIP. She expresses concern that cuts to Medicaid funding would disproportionately harm these communities. House Republicans are considering hefty cuts to the program as part of deficit reductions of over $5 trillion.
Joan Alker, executive director and co-founder of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and the report's lead author, said some proposals call for Medicaid reductions of nearly $2.5 trillion. She called that "horrifying" - especially since the program wasn't a big issue on the campaign trail last fall.
"There was complete silence about it, despite the fact that it is the largest source of public coverage by far in the United States. It's also a very popular program with the voters of all political stripes," Alker continued.
The report also emphasizes Medicaid's role in reducing medical debt and improving overall health outcomes. As federal lawmakers consider proposals to cap or reduce Medicaid spending, advocates like Li urge Florida leaders to resist measures that would further strain the state's already vulnerable rural healthcare system.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service. Public News Service is a member of the The Trust Project
SPANISH
Florida News Connection
| January 23, 2025 By: Trimmel Gomes |
Recortes de Medicaid podrían devastar zonas rurales de FL y afectar a niños
Un nuevo informe del Center for Children and Families de la Universidad de Georgetown destaca el importante papel que desempena Medicaid para garantizar el acceso a la atencion medica para las comunidades rurales de Florida.
El informe revela que los habitantes de las zonas rurales de Florida enfrentan desafios unicos, que incluyen escasez de proveedores, largos viajes al trabajo y conectividad limitada, todo lo cual dificulta el acceso a la atencion medica. Erica Li, analista de politicas de salud del Florida Policy Institute, enfatiza la importancia del programa para el estado y senala que mas del 52% de los ninos en las zonas rurales de Florida dependen de Medicaid o CHIP para su seguro medico.
"Medicaid es un salvavidas fundamental para las familias que lo necesitan. Y cuanto mas tiempo pasan los ninos sin cobertura de atencion medica, mayor riesgo corren de tener malos resultados y otros aspectos de su vida, como la obtencion de educacion y otras medidas de calidad de vida," expreso Li.
Li subraya que Florida ocupa el cuarto lugar a nivel nacional en cuanto a la proporcion de ninos en areas rurales que dependen de Medicaid y CHIP. Expresa su preocupacion de que los recortes a la financiacion de Medicaid perjudicarian desproporcionadamente a estas comunidades. Los republicanos de la Camara de Representantes estan considerando fuertes recortes al programa como parte de una reduccion del deficit de mas de cinco billones de dolares.
Joan Alker, del Center for Children and Families de la Universidad de Georgetown, dice que algunas propuestas exigen reducciones de Medicaid de casi dos billones y medio de dolares. Ella lo describe como "horrible", especialmente porque el programa no fue un gran tema en la campana electoral del otono pasado.
"Hubo completo silencio al respecto, a pesar de que es, con diferencia, la mayor fuente de cobertura publica en Estados Unidos. Tambien es un programa muy popular entre los votantes de todos los sectores politicos," insistio tambien Alker.
El informe tambien enfatiza el papel de Medicaid en la reduccion de la deuda medica y la mejora de los resultados de salud generales. Mientras los legisladores federales consideran propuestas para limitar o reducir el gasto de Medicaid, defensores como Li instan a los lideres de Florida a resistir medidas que sobrecargarian aun mas el ya vulnerable sistema de salud rural del estado.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service. Public News Service is a member of the The Trust Project
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