Washington, DC — Winnie Stachelberg, executive vice president for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement after the Trump administration unveiled guidelines allowing states to cut Medicaid by imposing harsh time limits on health care coverage for those who cannot find sufficient work.
Make no mistake about it: With this decision, President Donald Trump and his administration have ended the Medicaid guarantee as we know it. It is a devastating blow to the millions of Americans who turn to Medicaid for health care and a complete betrayal of Trump’s promise to help the forgotten men and women of this country.
Ripping away health care from people who have lost their jobs will not create a single job, raise anyone’s wages, or help anyone who is struggling to find work. Instead, it kicks people while they’re down—taking away health care from unemployed or underemployed workers when they need it most. Study after study shows that access to health care translates into higher earnings and better jobs. What’s worse, the current proposal could strip health care from people with severe health conditions. Cancer patients could lose access to lifesaving treatment if they are not working enough hours to maintain eligibility for Medicaid.
If we want to get struggling families into good jobs, we need to make sure they can get back on their feet. That means raising the minimum wage; enacting paid family and medical leave and affordable, high-quality child care; and investing in education and training to help workers gain the skills they need to get ahead.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Devon Kearns at [email protected] or 202.741.6290.