Washington Medicaid Could Lose 274,000 Insured Under Proposed Federal Cuts
Recent non-partisan analysis indicates that over 274,000 residents of Washington state could lose their health insurance coverage within the next decade if a Republican-supported tax and spending bill is enacted. The legislation, which includes close to $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has already passed the House and is under consideration in the Senate with an expected signing in early July.
Washington's Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both Democrats, have voiced strong opposition to the bill alongside healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups. The bill's Medicaid cuts are characterized as the largest in U.S. history, with projections estimating that 194,000 Washingtonians may lose coverage through Apple Health, the state's Medicaid program, and another 79,000 could be affected by reduced ACA subsidies.
Medicaid plays a critical role in Washington, covering more than 1.9 million residents, including nearly half the state's children and a significant majority of births in rural counties. On a national scale, Medicaid also supports seniors, individuals with disabilities, and people facing mental health or substance use challenges.
Opponents highlight the potential impacts of the proposed funding reductions, including the closure of hospitals and nursing homes, particularly in rural areas. There are also concerns about millions losing their health coverage. Additionally, the bill reallocates funds that opponents argue could otherwise support Medicaid towards tax cuts for corporations.
Washington's political representatives have called for public engagement to oppose the legislation, drawing on previous successful resistance against attempts to repeal the ACA. The debate underscores ongoing tensions between healthcare funding priorities and tax policy within federal legislation, with significant implications for Medicaid-dependent populations and healthcare infrastructure in Washington and beyond.