"With large potential cuts to Medicaid proposed in the Senate bill, so much is at stake for your constituents and community."
Ask your Senators to "vote no on the Senate budget reconciliation bill and prevent harmful cuts to Medicaid."
What's happening:
After hours of negotiations, procedural votes, and other hurdles, the Senate proceeded into official consideration of their version of the budget reconciliation bill on Saturday night, with a final vote expected TONIGHT or tomorrow morning.
While the bill has undergone major changes from the House version and the original Senate text, many components harmful to Medicaid remain, including work reporting requirements and other provisions that will negatively impact eligibility and enrollment, as well as provisions that would negatively impact coverage and support for legal immigrants and refugees.
Further, while it is still being modified, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO,) the current language would cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and leave approximately 17 million fewer people insured at the end of the 10-year estimate—meaning, far steeper cuts and greater deficits than the House version.
State of Play and Timing:
Even with so much at stake, Senate leadership continues to push ahead to meet their July 4 deadline.
Today, the Senate has begun voting on amendments to the package, a process known as “vote-a-rama”, and they are poised to vote on final passage TONIGHT or Tuesday morning.
One concerning amendment is from Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) which would drastically reduce federal Medicaid matching funding for ACA expansion populations, effectively ending Medicaid expansion and leading to loss of coverage for up to 16 million patients.
Final passage is likely, but it's not guaranteed. Senators Paul (R-KY) and Tillis (R-NC) have said they will oppose it. Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Collins (R-ME) have not issued firm commitments but appear skeptical. If four Republicans were to vote no, the bill would not proceed.
If Senate passage does occur, House leadership plans to have the House vote on the bill on Wednesday or Thursday.
As with the Senate, there are currently two Republican members who have communicated firm opposition: Rep. Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Valadao (R-CA), from the fiscal conservative and Medicaid moderate camps, respectively. Given the tight margins, this marks an opportunity to halt the bill on the House floor given that the Senate appears likely to pass a bill that has deeper deficits and deeper cuts to Medicaid than the House-passed version.
Register now to join us for the next webinar in our “Capitol Conversations” series on July 17 at 1 p.m. ET. We will be sharing the latest updates on the budget reconciliation process and the impact on Medicaid and nonprofits, as well as expert insights on pursuing federal funding opportunities.
For more information, please contact Sarah Dobson, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy.
Lutheran Services in America is one of the nation’s largest national networks of health and human service providers with a mission to cultivate caring communities that advance health and opportunity for all. With 300 nonprofit organizations across 1,400 U.S. communities and more than $26 billion in combined annual services, the Lutheran Services in America network advances equitable outcomes for children, youth and families, improves independence and choice for older adults, champions meaningful services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and strengthens stability and purpose for veterans and others. Formed in 1997, Lutheran Services in America brings together a network of leaders, partners and funders to catalyze innovation, strengthen organizational capacity and advance public policy.
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