HOUSE RECONCILIATION BILL AND THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY
The NDNRC wants to make sure that people with disabilities are aware of potential changes to their healthcare as the current administration proposes major funding cuts to federal healthcare programs. The disability community utilizes Medicaid, and the ACA (Affordable Care Act) Marketplace plans at a higher rate than those without disabilities due to their unique needs.
By updating this newsletter with resources and educational pieces on where disability health policies stand, we hope to ensure that the disability community continues to have access to accessible and affordable healthcare coverage no matter what changes occur in the foreseeable future.
The House passed a bill that would cut Medicaid and food assistance, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), taking away health care and support from millions of people, especially people with disabilities. It also adds work rules that could make many lose coverage and WILL shift more costs to states, as reported in a research post by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).
This bill will cost more for low-income and middle-class communities, and it would cost more than extending the 2017 tax law, as reported in another research brief from CBPP, alongside a more in-depth analysis of this bill.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has been tracking health provisions in the House bill, summarizing Medicaid and ACA provisions. This is an important tool for disability advocates and those in the community.
As mentioned above, this bill will propose cutting SNAP by almost $300 billion over the next decade, which could reduce or eliminate food assistance for millions of low-income people. It would also increase work requirements and shift more costs to states, making it harder for people with disabilities to access the food support they need, as noted in research from CBPP.
A KFF study found that adults in states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA use more health services than those in states that did not expand. This suggests that Medicaid expansion helps people with chronic health issues get the care they need, especially in the disability community. This topic was also covered in an issue brief from the Commonwealth Fund (TCF) and its effects on state hospitals.
Another KFF report noted that health insurance plans from the Marketplace have different deductibles based on the type of plan and a person’s income from 2014 to 2025. This serves as a tool for cost comparison, as increases in premiums and deductibles for many could occur in the next decade.
As part of the KFF Medicaid Watch series, KFF covered key facts about nursing facilities and Medicaid. Medicaid pays for more than 60% of people living in nursing homes, making it the main way many older adults and people with disabilities afford long-term care. These cuts to Medicaid funding could lead to fewer staff and lower quality care in nursing homes, making it harder for the disability community to get the healthcare that they need. Another part of the KFF Medicaid Watch series included Medicaid coverage and pregnancy, as well as family planning.
TCF noted in their blog the major reductions in federal programs supporting women’s health, including cutting staff and funding for services like maternal care and mental health support. These changes have raised could lead to decreased access to essential health services for women with disabilities across the country.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.