MDA Raises Concerns Over Senate Medicaid and Medicare Cuts Impacting Neuromuscular Patients
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has issued a statement expressing concerns over recent Senate legislation that proposes substantial cuts to Medicaid and changes weakening access to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. Independent analyses predict these changes could lead to an increase of at least 16 million uninsured Americans, including many children and adults affected by neuromuscular diseases. The legislation is expected to cause longer delays and denials for home and community-based services, higher out-of-pocket costs, a reduction in specialist availability, and closures of rural hospitals.
The Senate bill builds on cuts previously passed by the House and rolls back ACA private insurance access by shortening enrollment periods, ending automatic re-enrollment, and tightening eligibility verification. It also fails to extend enhanced ACA subsidies, which help make coverage affordable. Changes to Medicare may prevent implementation of rules designed to lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries and could result in as much as $500 billion in Medicare cuts over the next decade, potentially restricting access to necessary care for the neuromuscular community.
The legislation is now before the House of Representatives for consideration of the Senate's amendments. MDA urges the House to reject these deeper cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA marketplace coverage due to their negative implications for healthcare access and affordability for people with neuromuscular diseases.
MDA reaffirms its commitment to collaborative work with Congress to find solutions that improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for this vulnerable community. The organization emphasizes ongoing communication with people living with neuromuscular disorders to keep them informed and engaged during the legislative process.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been a leading advocate and resource for individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular conditions for 75 years. The organization partners with federal agencies across administrations to advance policy protections, improved care, and inclusion for people with neuromuscular diseases.