February 26, 2025
Thank you to everyone who took action yesterday by calling various Illinois members of the U.S. House of Representatives to advocate against the budget resolution that could involve cuts to the Medicaid program.
Below is an update on the U.S. House vote on the budget resolution, as well as an update on the local situation with Health Alliance.
U.S. House Vote on Budget Resolution
Unfortunately, the U.S. House voted to pass the Budget Resolution containing massive cuts in government spending. The Republicans narrowly voted to adopt the resolution by a vote of 217-215, with only one Republican House member voting against it – Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
What does this mean for the Medicaid program? Well, the way the Resolution was written does not specify the programs that will be cut – that is still to be determined. The Resolution requires that various committees will have to come up with the programs to be cut to meet the requirements of the resolution.
My personal belief is that the programs were not specified within the Resolution in order to provide “cover” for getting Republican House members to vote “yes”, given the massive opposition to Medicaid cuts. But we do know that discussions have already targeted the Medicaid program, and food programs. Just because Medicaid is not named in the Resolution does not mean that it is not in the crosshairs of House cost-cutting measures.
What’s ahead? There is a legislative and budgeting process ahead that will involve reconciling the House Resolution with the Senate’s budget. CCHCC will be keeping a close eye on this process and will inform our community about the process and opportunities to take action. We will be part of a nation-wide advocacy effort to protect the programs that are vital to the health and lives of residents of the United States – especially those who are the most vulnerable.