Medicaid Cuts 6-30-25

The following Google AI report cites that 10.3 million fewer people would be enrolled in Medicaid in 2034. 

Who is affected by the cuts?

The new reconciliation bill, "One Big Beautiful Bill," would cut Medicaid funding by $863 billion over 10 years. This would result in an estimated 10.3 million fewer people enrolled in Medicaid by 2034. Specifically, the bill targets Medicaid expansion enrollees, those with dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and those who may have difficulty meeting work requirements. 

Medicaid Expansion Enrollees: The bill includes provisions aimed at reducing Medicaid enrollment among individuals eligible for the Medicaid expansion or making it harder for them to access care.

Dual Eligibles: Individuals who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare would be disproportionately impacted by cuts related to streamlining enrollment and reducing administrative barriers. 

Individuals subject to work requirements:

The bill includes work reporting requirements, potentially leading to delays and errors for pregnant women, people

Reduced federal funding: The bill reduces federal Medicaid funding by $863 billion over 10 years. 

State-directed payments: The bill further reduces certain supplemental payments to hospitals and other providers, impacting states that rely on these payments. 

Provider taxes: The bill restricts state use of provider taxes to finance Medicaid, potentially impacting hospitals and other providers. 

Emergency Medicaid services: Federal funding for payments to hospitals providing emergency Medicaid services is also cut. 

Increased out-of-pocket costs: Dual eligibles may face increased out-of-pocket costs due to changes in cost-sharing assistance. 

Potential for increased uninsured rates: These cuts could lead to a significant number of people losing their Medicaid coverage, potentially increasing the number of uninsured individuals. 

Additional notes:

·       The bill also includes cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

·       Some states may be forced to cut benefits and tighten eligibility requirements due to the funding cuts. 

·       The bill could affect access to care for vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. 

Who does the new bill cut from Medicaid ?

Recent news reports suggest that the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (H.R. 1), currently being debated in the Senate after passing the House, could lead to significant cuts in Medicaid, potentially affecting millions of people

Specific groups that could be affected include:

·       Adults ages 19 to 64 covered through the Medicaid expansion: The bill mandates work reporting requirements for this population, which could lead to disenrollment for those unable to meet the requirements.

·       Medicaid expansion adults with incomes above 100 percent of the federal poverty level: These individuals could face cost-sharing requirements, according to Commonwealth Fund.

·       Individuals who face delays in eligibility verification: The bill eliminates the requirement for states to provide Medicaid and CHIP coverage during the reasonable opportunity period (ROP) for verifying citizenship or immigration status, which could lead to temporary coverage gaps and potentially permanent loss of coverage for those who don't have documentation immediately available.

·       Seniors and people with disabilities: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that rescinding a particular rule in the bill could cut Medicaid enrollment by 2.3 million people, with the majority likely being seniors and people with disabilities also enrolled in Medicare.

·       Individuals served by certain family planning providers: The bill prohibits federal Medicaid funding for payments to any non-profit essential community provider that provides abortions and receives significant federal and state Medicaid reimbursements, potentially reducing access to critical reproductive health services.

·       Individuals in states that use their own funds to cover immigrants without qualified status: The bill cuts the federal matching rate for expansion populations in these states, which could lead to reduced coverage options. 

Impact on healthcare providers:

·       Safety net hospitals, rural hospitals, children's hospitals, and community health centers: A wide range of these providers stand to lose Medicaid revenues under the bill. 

Overall projected impact:

·       According to the CBO, the House version of the bill alone could lead to an additional 4.8 million uninsured individuals by 2034, primarily due to work requirements.

·       Combining the effects of the House bill, the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits, and proposed rule changes targeting ACA marketplaces, the CBO projects that 16 million individuals could be uninsured by 2034. 

It's important to note that the Senate version of the bill is estimated to have even more severe Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cuts compared to the House version. The Senate bill proposes a $1.02 trillion cut in federal Medicaid and CHIP spending over the next ten years, compared to the House bill's $863.4 billion cut. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=who+does+the+new+bill+cut+from+medicaid

In 2025, the percentage of U.S. citizens without health insurance is estimated to be around 8.2%. This translates to approximately 26.2 million Americans.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+many+us+citizens+do+not+have+health+insurance+2025

Comments

The cuts in Medicaid for Illegals is not mentioned above, but it was where this cost cutting process began. Either Bill (House or Senate) would stop Healthcare Costs from continuing to rise. It would reduce Healthcare Revenue and produce a slowdown in Healthcare job openings in Hospitals and Medical Practices.

It should include the repeal of laws requiring hospitals to treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay and remove “cost shifting” abilities for Hospitals and Providers, but it doesn’t. 

Diseases with Similar Symptoms

Many diseases can present with similar symptoms, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Some examples include: 

1. Lupus vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Both are autoimmune diseases with joint pain and inflammation as prominent symptoms.
2. Lyme Disease vs. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Lyme disease can mimic MS symptoms like numbness, tingling, and fatigue due to the bacteria's ability to travel through the bloodstream, according to Healthgrades.com.
3. Fibromyalgia vs. MS: Both can cause fatigue and pain, including headaches and numbness in extremities.
4. Sjögren's Syndrome vs. other conditions: Symptoms like dry eyes and mouth can overlap with conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, or even multiple sclerosis, according to UMass Memorial Health.
5. Myasthenia Gravis (MG) vs. ALS: Muscle weakness, a key symptom of ALS, can also be present in MG, though MG often features fluctuating weakness that worsens with use.
6. Stroke vs. MS: Sudden onset of symptoms like weakness or numbness on one side of the body can be mistaken for an MS flare-up, particularly if the person doesn't have a prior MS diagnosis.
7. Syphilis vs. other diseases: Syphilis is often called "The Great Imitator" because its symptoms can mimic other conditions, including Lyme disease.
8. Sarcoidosis vs. other conditions: Sarcoidosis, particularly in the lungs, can resemble cancer, tuberculosis, or other infections, according to MedStar Health.
9. Vitamin B12 Deficiency vs. MS: Fatigue, mental confusion, and numbness or tingling can be symptoms of a B12 deficiency and can mimic MS symptoms.
10. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) vs. MS: EBV can cause prolonged fatigue, similar to what might be experienced in MS.
11. Spondyloarthropathies: These are a group of diseases with similar clinical symptoms and genetic predispositions.
12. Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) vs. MS: ADEM is a sudden onset of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord and can be mistaken for MS.
13. Migraines vs. MS: Some migraine symptoms like blurred vision can resemble optic neuritis in MS.
14. Bell's Palsy vs. MG: Both can cause drooping eyelids and difficulty swallowing, according to AmeriPharma® Specialty Care.
15. Autoimmune Diseases: Many autoimmune diseases share similar symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, skin problems, and digestive issues. 

what illnesses have the same symptoms

Many illnesses can have overlapping symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between them without a proper diagnosis

Here are some illnesses that often share similar symptoms:

• Common Cold and Flu: Both are viral respiratory illnesses that can cause symptoms like sore throat, stuffy/runny nose, cough, fatigue, headache, and body aches. The flu typically comes on suddenly and is more severe than a cold, while colds usually develop gradually and are milder.
• COVID-19, Flu, and RSV: These viral respiratory infections all cause similar symptoms like fever, cough, and shortness of breath. COVID-19 can also include symptoms like loss of taste or smell.
• Bronchitis: Acute bronchitis can cause a cough, mucus production, chest pain, fatigue, fever, shortness of breath, stuffy nose, and wheezing, similar to colds and the flu.
• Strep Throat: Symptoms of strep throat, caused by bacteria, include sudden sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes, white patches on tonsils, and headache.
• Mononucleosis (Mono): A viral infection causing symptoms like extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and potentially a rash.
• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs that can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and it can be a complication of the flu, COVID-19, or a cold.
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, caused by viral or bacterial infections. Symptoms include headache, fever, fatigue, and a stiff neck (which is uncommon with the flu).
• HIV (Initial Infection): In some cases, a new HIV infection can present with flu-like symptoms.
• Other conditions: Flu-like symptoms can also be caused by conditions such as Lyme disease, bacterial infections like sinusitis or tonsillitis, parasitic or fungal infections like malaria, and even some autoimmune disorders or chronic illnesses. 

Important Notes:

• Self-diagnosis can be misleading. If you are experiencing symptoms, especially if they are severe or persistent, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional.
• Testing is often necessary for accurate diagnosis, particularly for conditions like COVID-19 and the flu.
• Your doctor will consider your specific symptoms, medical history, and may order tests to determine the correct diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+illnesses+have+the+same+sysptoms

Comments

Cost reduction and quicker diagnosis and treatment strategies are being pursued by Hospitals. Bio Merieux has developed and is selling diagnostic test equipment to Hospitals.

bioMérieux strengthens its point of care presence with the acquisition of the immunoassay start-up SpinChip.

biomerieux.com/corp/en/our-offer.html

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader