This week, ACEP joined 42 national medical organizations in a letter opposing proposed Medicaid changes that would result in devastating coverage losses and reduced access to care.
The letter outlines broad concerns with policies under consideration that would limit eligibility, alter Medicaid’s federal financing structure, and increase administrative complexity—placing additional burdens on states, physicians, and patients alike.
The letter states:
“Patient care would be threatened by proposals such as altering the federal financing structure of the Medicaid program, limiting eligibility, shifting costs to states, and increasing the administrative complexity of the program. Combined with Medicare physician payment rates that have not kept pace with inflation, [these changes] would risk exacerbating hospital and practice closures, particularly in rural areas.”
The coalition stresses that Medicaid is not just a safety-net program, but a core pillar of the American health care system, covering over 80 million people across all demographics and geographies, and highlights the vital role of the program in providing access to emergency care, chronic disease management, mental health services, and preventive care.
ACEP continues working with Congress to ensure that policy changes do not place undue burdens on already-strained emergency departments or establish barriers to lifesaving emergency care for patients.
