The American Health Care Act and President Drumpf’s budget are shameful attacks on the most vulnerable Americans. Slashing billions of dollars from social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP that benefit children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

 

RSVP for our Medicaid Organizing training on June 8th

 

What is Medicaid?

 

Medicaid is the nation’s main public health insurance program for people with low incomes and the single largest source of health coverage in the U.S. In Nevada, Medicaid covers over 600,000 individuals. Medicaid is administered by the states within broad federal requirements, and states and the federal government finance the program jointly.

 

Medicaid is a significant source of coverage for children

 

Medicaid, covers more than one in every three children nationally. These are vital services for all children – especially those with disabilities and special needs. Medicaid covers many with complex health care needs

 

Medicaid provides health and long-term care coverage for people with severe physical and Behavioral health conditions and disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome).

 

Addressing the spectrum of needs and limited ability to pay out-of-pocket, Medicaid covers medical services and, in addition, may provide services like transportation and community-based long-term care.

 

Medicaid provides assistance to low-income families 

 

Nationally, one in every five Medicare beneficiaries is also covered by Medicaid, based on income levels. Medicaid provides health insurance for 191,000 low income children in Nevada. Children make up 65.4% of Nevada’s Medicaid population.

 

Medicaid covers more Nevadans than any other health care program 

 

Medicaid accounted for 63% of all Nevada HSS spending in 2016, with a total of $3.2 billion exceeding state funds for K-12 education by more than $1 billion. Recognizing the importance, Governor Brian Sandoval chose to expand Medicaid, giving more Nevadan’s coverage in 2014. Since then, Nevada’s Medicaid enrollment has nearly doubled, growing from 350,234 at the beginning of 2014 to 650,213 at the close of 2016. As a result, Medicaid is now the largest provider of health care in Nevada.

 

Children in particular will be devastated if there is a vote for a healthcare program that would negatively impact Medicaid.

 

If Trumpcare wins, thousands of children and low income Nevadans lose.