Golden submits amendment to ensure accountability for harm to rural Americans from proposed health care cuts

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) has submitted an amendment to the House GOP’s budget reconciliation bill to create accountability for proposed health care cuts, should they be passed into law. 

“The health care cuts Congress is

considering would be devastating, particularly in rural districts like mine,” Golden said. “Should the GOP succeed in taking health care away from millions of Americans, they should have to reckon with the harm they cause. Accountability requires data, so my amendment will ensure we have hard figures on how many Americans have lost coverage, seen health outcomes decline, or even died as a result of these cuts.” 

The amendment would require the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) to conduct a study one year after enactment, and annually thereafter, on the effect on rates of uninsurance, health outcomes and deaths among residents of rural areas.

Residents of rural America are more likely to use Medicaid/CHIP for health care than those who live in urban areas, according to a study from the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Polic. Rural hospitals are particularly dependent on payments from Medicaid/CHIP, 

“Medicaid plays a significant role in sustaining the viability of rural healthcare systems, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and long-term care,” said National Rural Health Association CEO Alan Morgan in February.

“A strong relationship exists between Medicaid coverage levels and the financial viability of rural hospitals, of which about half are currently operating on negative margins and cannot sustain further cuts. Reductions in Medicaid funding will force rural providers to reduce or eliminate essential services or close their doors, limiting access to care for rural residents."

Medicaid provides health coverage to 236,000 people in CD2 — more than one-third of the population — according to KFF