NHC Letter to Congress: Protect Medicaid Access for Americans with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities
NHC Letter to Congress: Protect Medicaid Access for Americans with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities (PDF)
April 17, 2025
The Honorable John Thune The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Majority Leader Minority Leader
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mike Johnson The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
Speaker Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries:
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I am writing to strongly urge you to ensure that Medicaid remains accessible, affordable, and adequate for the more than 80 million Americans1 who rely on it to improve their health and lives, many of whom live with chronic diseases and disabilities.
The NHC sees firsthand the critical role Medicaid plays in the lives of 1 out of 4 Americans. Medicaid is the sole source of health coverage for many of the people we represent, providing access to comprehensive, affordable care that enables individuals to manage complex health needs, maintain their quality of life, and live independently in their communities.
Many of the Medicaid cost-savings options under consideration in the budget reconciliation agreement would transfer costs to patients or to the states, directly reducing the availability of care and the number of people eligible for coverage. The magnitude of cuts could be devastating. For example, if Congress cuts Medicaid by
$880 billion, it would be equivalent to Medicaid spending for 18% of seniors and people with disabilities, 38% of adults, or 76% of children.2
As you move forward in writing and implementing specific instructions of the budget reconciliation agreement passed last week, we urge you to reject cuts to Medicaid, all of which have long-term impacts and lasting harm to people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
For more than 100 years, the NHC has engaged diverse organizations to drive patient- centered health policies and practices that increase access to affordable, high-value, and sustainable health care for all Americans. The NHC’s membership is composed of 181 national health-related organizations, the majority being the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
On behalf of the NHC’s member organizations and the more than 160 million people they represent, we urge you to protect and strengthen Medicaid as a vital source of coverage for those who need it most. Any policy changes must preserve Medicaid’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality, and person-centered care to Americans with chronic conditions and disabilities.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. Please contact Kimberly Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs at kbeer@nhcouncil.org or 202-557-9146 with any questions or request for additional information.
Sincerely,
Randall L. Rutta
Chief Executive Officer
NHC Letter to Congress: Protect Medicaid Access for Americans with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities
04/17/2025
NHC Letter to Congress: Protect Medicaid Access for Americans with Chronic Conditions and Disabilities (PDF)
April 17, 2025
The Honorable John Thune The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Majority Leader Minority Leader
United States Senate United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Mike Johnson The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
Speaker Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Leader Thune, Leader Schumer, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries:
On behalf of the National Health Council (NHC), I am writing to strongly urge you to ensure that Medicaid remains accessible, affordable, and adequate for the more than 80 million Americans1 who rely on it to improve their health and lives, many of whom live with chronic diseases and disabilities.
The NHC sees firsthand the critical role Medicaid plays in the lives of 1 out of 4 Americans. Medicaid is the sole source of health coverage for many of the people we represent, providing access to comprehensive, affordable care that enables individuals to manage complex health needs, maintain their quality of life, and live independently in their communities.
Many of the Medicaid cost-savings options under consideration in the budget reconciliation agreement would transfer costs to patients or to the states, directly reducing the availability of care and the number of people eligible for coverage. The magnitude of cuts could be devastating. For example, if Congress cuts Medicaid by
$880 billion, it would be equivalent to Medicaid spending for 18% of seniors and people with disabilities, 38% of adults, or 76% of children.2
As you move forward in writing and implementing specific instructions of the budget reconciliation agreement passed last week, we urge you to reject cuts to Medicaid, all of which have long-term impacts and lasting harm to people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
For more than 100 years, the NHC has engaged diverse organizations to drive patient- centered health policies and practices that increase access to affordable, high-value, and sustainable health care for all Americans. The NHC’s membership is composed of 181 national health-related organizations, the majority being the nation’s leading patient organizations. Other members include health-related associations and nonprofit organizations including the provider, research, and family caregiver communities; and businesses representing biopharmaceutical, device, diagnostic, generic drug, and payer organizations.
On behalf of the NHC’s member organizations and the more than 160 million people they represent, we urge you to protect and strengthen Medicaid as a vital source of coverage for those who need it most. Any policy changes must preserve Medicaid’s ability to provide affordable, high-quality, and person-centered care to Americans with chronic conditions and disabilities.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. Please contact Kimberly Beer, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs at kbeer@nhcouncil.org or 202-557-9146 with any questions or request for additional information.
Sincerely,
Randall L. Rutta
Chief Executive Officer