The American Medical Association, along with other national specialty and state medical societies, has raised concerns about proposed changes in the current reconciliation bill before Congress. The organizations warn that certain Medicaid and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions could create new barriers for eligible patients seeking coverage.
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) currently provide health care access to nearly 80 million Americans. According to the groups, the proposed changes would have a greater impact on rural and underserved communities.
“These changes would disproportionately impact rural and underserved areas, and we [the American Medical Association and other national specialty and state medical societies] urge Congress to ensure that efforts to curb fraud and abuse do not result in loss of access to care for millions of patients,” the statement reads.
The bill also proposes limits on access to medical school loans and loan forgiveness programs. The organizations argue this could threaten the future supply of physicians at a time when demand is increasing.
“In addition, the bill as currently drafted, would limit access to medical school loans and loan forgiveness programs—threatening the future of our physician workforce at a time of growing need,” they stated.
They further caution that if protections for Medicaid and ACA are not maintained, many vulnerable patients may lose essential health care services. “If the Senate fails to strengthen the legislation by preserving Medicaid and ACA protections, millions of our country’s most vulnerable patients are at risk of losing the access to care they so desperately need.”
The organizations call on individuals to contact their Senators, urging them to preserve Medicaid and ACA coverage for eligible people, protect education loan programs for future physicians, and support long-term Medicare payment reforms adjusted for inflation.
