In recent current events, we have all been hearing about funding cuts that the U.S. (or federal) government is making. It is hard to understand what is being cut and how it will impact all of us because we are getting so much information.
One service that we are worried about is Medicaid. For this reason, members involved in a volunteer group of service providers called the Gorge Health Equity Collaborative have written this letter to help explain what cuts to Medicaid in Oregon and Washington may mean to us.
First of all, what is Medicaid? It is the program that provides health care to 83 million low-income people in the United States that is funded by the federal government and state governments. This healthcare covers hospital and doctor visits, behavioral health, dental care, prescriptions, and maternity care. Medicaid also covers 62% of all people who live in nursing homes. It is also the biggest payer for long-term care for children, adults, and some seniors who are on Medicare but cannot afford all the extra costs.
Rural areas like ours have challenges that make Medicaid a vital lifeline for many people. In our area, the program provides healthcare coverage for working families, children, seniors, and people with special needs. Folks would not have access to low-cost care if they did not have Medicaid.
Medicaid is often known by other names in some areas of our region. In Oregon, the program is called the Oregon Health Plan or OHP. In Washington, the program is called Apple Health Insurance or Apple Health. In Oregon, there are insurance companies, called Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) that manage Medicaid.
On the Oregon side of the Mid-Columbia, our CCO is PacificSource Community Solutions. In Washington, Medicaid is managed by Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and there are five MCOs: Amerigroup, Molina, Coordinated Care, United Healthcare, and Community Health Plan of Washington.
There are many reasons why people might need Medicaid, which includes when we find ourselves in an unplanned situation. People may be eligible for Medicaid when they live through a:
Sudden change or loss of income
Life-threatening health diagnosis
Need for home or community-based services
Intellectual or developmental disability
Substance abuse issue
In the Mid-Columbia Gorge, there are around 21,000 people on Medicaid, which is 24% of the population of the area. People on Medicaid can go to their doctors, to the Emergency Room and the hospital for surgery and care, receive therapy and case management services that help them access food, shelter, and other resources. Some are also able to live in places that help care for them all day, every day.
From a financial perspective, Medicaid supports our rural economy. When people have healthcare coverage, they are more healthy and more productive workers. Also, healthcare jobs paid for by Medicaid funding are often among the most stable jobs in our rural economy.
If the federal government cuts funding to Medicaid, people could lose these vital services that help keep them healthy and help keep our community strong. If you are worried about this, please contact your elected officials today!
Signed,
1. The Next Door, Inc.
2. One Community Health
3. Washington Gorge Action Program (WAGAP)
4. Columbia Gorge Food Bank
5. Klickitat Valley Health
6. Hood River Latino Network
7. Helping Hands Against Violence
8. Sarah Sullivan, Gorge Grown Food Network
9. Yesenia Castro, CultureSeed
10. Robert W Gobbo MD, Residency Program Director, Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital and Medical Director, Hood River Post Acute Care Center
11. Jenny Anglin, Executive Director, Columbia Gorge Health Council
12. Sarah Kellems, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC)
13. Alysha Sherburne, Big River Community Land Trust
14. Joanna Kaiserman, Columbia River Gorge Commission
15. Treena Gower Foster, Oregon State University Extension
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