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Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come; NYC music school teachers strike after union negotiations break down; Ohio advocates push for inclusive policies during Black History Month; Health experts recommend sunshine, socializing to cure 'winter blues.'

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Proposed Medicaid cuts threaten rural health care for low-income Louisianans

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Thursday, January 23, 2025   

A new report finds that significant cuts proposed for Medicaid funding would disproportionately affect rural and small-town residents in Louisiana and many other states.

Research from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University examines the potential effect of the Trump administration's plans to reduce federal funding for the Medicaid program.

More than 1.6 million Louisianans are enrolled in Medicaid, also called Healthy Louisiana.

Courtney Foster, senior policy advisor with Invest in Louisiana, said many people in rural areas of the Bayou State rely heavily on Medicaid coverage.

"A block grant or a cap would force Louisiana to deny coverage to people. So that could be people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant women, children - all of our most vulnerable people covered with Medicaid," she explained.

Foster added such cuts would hit families hard, as 5 out of 9 children in Louisiana are covered by Medicaid, while the federal-state program covers 61% of all births in the state.

The Georgetown report finds that more than 40% of rural Americans depend on Medicaid for coverage, and that obtaining care often presents some unique problems. In Louisiana, Foster added that even with Medicaid, access can be a challenge for many small-town residents.

"Rural Louisianans already face unique challenges in getting the care they need to stay healthy because we already have provider shortages or facility closures, limited connectivity to telehealth appointments, as well as long travel distances," she continued.

Joan Alker, executive director and co-founder of Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families, and the report's lead author, said some proposals call for reducing Medicaid by nearly $2.5 trillion. She called that "horrifying" because it received very little attention in last year's presidential campaign.

"There was complete silence about it, despite the fact that it is the largest source of public coverage by far in the United States," she declared. "It's also a very popular program with the voters of all political stripes."

Disclosure: Georgetown University Center for Children & Families contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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