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At Least 11 Dead After Severe Flooding Sweeps The South; Hundreds Of Thousands Without Power; Abandoned Mine Land program frozen as Appalachia faces severe flooding; Solar power gives MN resort new blood, new life.

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Top Trump officials set to meet with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia over the Ukraine war. The GOP budget resolution is at risk as moderates weigh out consequences. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he's "going nowhere."

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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.

Budget cuts may jeopardize health programs for millions in California

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Tuesday, December 10, 2024   

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 million in California, may face cuts to reduce inflation and debt.

As of 2024, California has the largest state Medicaid program in the U.S. Programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP could be affected by fiscal tightening in the upcoming year.

Mayra Alvarez, president of the Children's Partnership, told an Ethnic Media panel Medicaid cuts would deeply affect families.

"It's these public programs that are core to helping families meet the day-to-day needs of raising healthy kids," Alvarez contended. "These have been bipartisan programs that have helped our families thrive."

Political experts said Congress is expected to act swiftly on its agenda next year, with key actions likely starting in January, before the presidential inauguration.

Medicaid is funded by the federal government and individual states but each state runs its own program.

Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, who also participated on the panel, said cuts to the program will have widespread effects.

"Medicaid accounts for about 56% of all federal money that is flowing to states, is coming in through Medicaid," Alker pointed out. "If we do see big cuts to Medicaid, that will affect all areas of states' budget."

Key proposals include setting federal funding caps, reducing federal match rates, and eliminating mandatory benefits such as nursing home care. Medicaid advocates are also concerned plans to replace benefits with private insurance vouchers could offer less coverage.

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


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