The statement below is issued by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians and American Psychiatric Association:
“For decades, the Medicaid program has provided health care coverage for millions of people, including children and parents, low-income adults, older adults, pregnant patients, individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and individuals with disabilities, in communities large and small, urban and rural.
Our organizations, representing more than 400,000 physicians who serve millions of patients, are alarmed by proposals to implement cuts or other structural changes to Medicaid during the budget reconciliation process. Cuts to Medicaid will have grave consequences for patients, communities and the entire health care system. With reduced federal funding, it will be harder for patients to access care, states will be forced to drop enrollees from coverage, and it will limit the health care services patients can access and cut payment rates. Slashing already-low Medicaid payment rates will make it even harder for physicians to provide care to people covered under Medicaid and will ultimately increase health care costs as patients are forced to forgo vital preventive care.
Our members are not alone in support of Medicaid and concern for potentially reduced funding. Americans widely support Medicaid, with two-thirds of adults in the U.S. saying they have had some connection to the Medicaid program, through their own coverage or coverage of a loved one. Imposing arbitrary restrictions and limitations on Medicaid enrollment runs counter to the mission of the program, which is to provide people with the health care coverage--and peace of mind--that they need.
The impact of cuts to Medicaid funding is significant and wide-reaching, and it must be reconsidered. Medicaid is a lifeline for our nation’s most vulnerable — from visits with a primary care physician, to maternal health care and pediatrics, to labor and delivery services, to behavioral health and to preventive care that saves lives. To that end, it is of the utmost importance that Congress protect this vital program.”
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About American Academy of Family Physicians
Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 130,000 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the largest medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians conduct approximately one in five office visits — that’s 192 million visits annually or 48 percent more than the next most visited medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. To learn more about the specialty of family medicine and the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, visit www.aafp.org. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s consumer website, www.familydoctor.org.
About the American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
About the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing evidence-based obstetric and gynecologic care. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 60,000 members, ACOG strongly advocates for equitable, exceptional, and respectful care for all women and people in need of obstetric and gynecologic care; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing patients and their families and communities. acog.org
About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.
About the American Psychiatric Association
The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with nearly 39,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.
Media contacts:
AAFP: Julie Hirschhorn (jhirschhorn@aafp.org)
AAP: Devin Mazziotti (dmazziotti@aap.org)
ACOG: Kate Connors (kconnors@acog.org)
ACP: Jacquelyn Blaser (jblaser@acponline.org)
APA: Erin Connors (econnors@psych.org)