More than 800 leaders of community health centers and primary care groups representing every state are asking congressional leadership to protect and stabilize the program, which covers about 80 million people, according to a letter shared first with STAT.
“This has the potential to really break things,” Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health, which organized the letter, said of the major Medicaid cuts being discussed. “What happens in the next week sets things up for what is to come.”
The groups offered to work with lawmakers to cut waste where possible — without reducing patient access to care.
“We understand Congress is exploring ways to reduce administrative and inefficient spending, including within Medicaid, and we are ready and committed to working with you on this important effort,” they wrote, adding that any changes to the program needed to be “targeted.” Signatories include dozens of leaders of statewide primary care and community health organizations as well as CEOs of clinics in moderate Republicans’ districts.