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Republicans weigh using the power of Congress to rein in Trump on tariffs; Stocks tumble again after China fires back in trade war; Mississippi urged to invest in jobs, not jails, to cut prison costs; Studies highlight gut health benefits of plant-forward diets in MI.

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The administration stands behind its tariffs, despite declines in markets. Advocates nationwide push back against federal rollbacks affecting military families, and the environment and big budget plans advance in Congress.

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The proposed dismantling of the Depart. of Education has rural schools scared, postal carriers say USPS changes will hurt rural communities most, fiber networks to improve internet may be supplanted by Musk's satellites, and it's time to PLAY BALL!

GOP budget eyes Medicaid cuts, a significant impact for Native communities

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Friday, February 14, 2025   

A preliminary federal budget unveiled by Republicans this week includes cuts to Medicaid, which a recent study reveals would disproportionately impact New Mexico counties with high populations of Native people.

Research by Georgetown University found rural counties that are home to large numbers of American Indians are more likely to rely on Medicaid for health insurance across all age groups.

Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and research professor at the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, said it's a national pattern.

"This is important," she said, "because if Congress moves ahead to make large cuts, these areas and Indian Country more generally will be in big trouble."

Among the Lower 48 states, New Mexico has the fourth highest percentage of Native Americans. Overall, a higher percentage of the state's population is covered by Medicaid than the national average, with a high of 51% in McKinley County to a low of 21% in Los Alamos County.

G0P leaders have sought to reassure Medicaid states and recipients that changes under discussion don't include drastic cuts, but rather additional work requirements and fraud reduction. The budget is only a draft now, but Alker warned that significant cuts such as lowering the federal match for Medicaid-expansion states or instituting a per capita cap could have devastating consequences.

"Cuts of this magnitude would force states to make very painful choices about cutting services, cutting benefits, reducing payments to providers, cutting eligibility," she said.

Following release of the draft budget this week, Alker called the proposed 11% cut - $880-billion over 10 years - "punishing" and said they conflict with President Donald Trump's promise to protect Medicaid.


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