Arizona physicians warn of Medicaid cuts’ potential impact on rural health care
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - As Congress remains on recess, health care professionals across Arizona are raising concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts, arguing that reduced funding could have devastating effects on hospitals and patients statewide, especially in rural communities like Yuma.
More than 2.2 million Arizonans rely on Medicaid for their health care needs. Local physicians warn that if federal budget cuts move forward, essential medical services could be at risk.
Robert Trenschel, CEO of Onvida Health, which operates in Yuma, says Medicaid funding is critical for maintaining health services.
"For us here locally, if that funding goes away, we would not have the same level of services that we have today. We would definitely have to cut services. We'd have to be a smaller organization because it does count for such a large part of what we’re able to do here," Trenschel explained.
Medicaid helps sustain a variety of critical programs in Yuma, including the psychiatry residency program, neonatal intensive care unit, maternity care, open-heart procedures, and cancer treatment.
Trenschel warns that without adequate funding, these programs could be significantly scaled back or eliminated entirely.
"It's all in a fine balance with the funding we get. Any cuts would put those programs at risk," he said.
Supporters of the proposed cuts argue that reducing Medicaid spending is necessary to control the national debt. They claim that restructuring the program would help reduce government waste and improve efficiency.
However, many Arizona health care providers insist that cuts of this magnitude would have dire consequences for patients and hospitals alike.
Dr. Eve Shapiro, a Tucson-based pediatrician, says that slashing Medicaid funds would result in millions of families losing coverage, hospitals facing financial struggles, and rural communities being hit the hardest.
"These congressmen know there is no way to cut Medicaid funding by billions of dollars without ripping healthcare away from our most vulnerable neighbors. Families in Arizona will lose their coverage, hospitals will face financial disaster, and rural communities will suffer insurmountably," Shapiro said.
With Congress set to reconvene soon, physicians and hospital administrators say they are hopeful lawmakers will act to protect Medicaid funding.
In the meantime, they are urging the public to contact their representatives and advocate for continued health care access.
