The recent House Budget Resolution proposes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts, a move that would destabilize Utah’s healthcare system. These cuts would affect children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families while straining hospitals and local economies.
In Utah, 1 in 10 people rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage.
Additionally, cuts at this scale would increase healthcare costs for all Utahns, leave many without coverage, and force the state into difficult financial decisions about whom to cover and what services to provide.
Without the vital funding that Medicaid provides, healthcare costs for all Utahns will undoubtedly rise, placing enormous and unsustainable pressure on our state budget and, more importantly, jeopardizing our communities' ability to access care.
In Utah, Medicaid is a vital safety net, covering 1 in 6 children and approximately 17% of births. It is indispensable in rural areas, where healthcare access is already limited. For instance, 30% of residents in San Juan County—1 in 3 people—rely on Medicaid as their primary insurance.
Beyond basic health coverage, Medicaid offers dental, vision, and hearing care and access to life-saving prescriptions, mental health services, and medically necessary treatments. Children with developmental needs benefit from unlimited speech, physical, and occupational therapy, enabling them to overcome challenges and reach their full potential.
Ensuring access to healthcare means upholding the dignity and health of every Utah family.
We are deeply disappointed that all of Utah's congressional delegation in the House of Representatives voted in favor of these budget cuts.
Such a decision threatens the well-being of our most vulnerable populations, including:
- Children who depend on Medicaid for preventive care and early interventions.
- Families with medically complex children who require specialized services to avoid institutional care.
- Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for long-term care and support in nursing homes.
- Pregnant women who need prenatal and postpartum care to ensure healthy outcomes.
- Low-income families who count on Medicaid for essential healthcare services, including check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments.
- Rural communities that face potential clinic and hospital closures, further limiting access to care.
- Small business employees who could lose affordable insurance options, posing challenges for employers in hiring and retention.
- Hospitals that may experience funding shortfalls, staff reductions, and decreased services, exacerbating strains on the healthcare system.
Medicaid is a lifeline for Utah families, and weakening it would have statewide repercussions, making healthcare harder to access and more expensive for everyone. Healthy communities build a strong economy. As Congress debates the federal budget, we call on our entire Utah Congressional Delegation to remember:
These cuts won’t heal—they’ll hurt Utah families.
