Yesterday, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce committee held a markup hearing on its proposal to cut at least $715 billion in federal spending from Medicaid—the largest proposed cuts to the program in history.
The scale of these cuts would blow holes in state budgets and force Wisconsin to reduce services, limit eligibility, or cut provider payments—leading to fewer options and supports for people with disabilities and their families. Even a small reduction in help with daily care needs can be the difference between living independently or being forced into a nursing home or institution.
The proposal includes policies that would directly target people who rely on Medicaid for their daily needs, including:
- Work requirements that would force people to navigate complex red tape to keep coverage, even when they cannot work due to disability.
- Six-month eligibility checks, which create more paperwork and more chances for people to lose coverage simply because of administrative errors.
- Higher out-of-pocket costs for people just above the poverty line—many of whom already struggle to afford care.
- Massive cost shifts to states, forcing tough decisions that would reduce access to essential services.
Initial estimates from the Congressional Budget Office indicate that at least 13.7 million people nationwide would lose Medicaid coverage. Nearly 1.3 million Wisconsinites rely on Medicaid today—and people with disabilities are likely to be hit hardest. These cuts would gut the services that help people live in their communities, access preventive care, and avoid institutionalization. They must be centered in the debate and coverage.
“I’ve seen what Medicaid makes possible for so many people I care about. It’s the difference between living at home with dignity or being forced into an institution. Between education and employment opportunities or isolation. Without it, people with disabilities lose not just care—they lose freedom, stability, and sometimes their lives,” said Sydney Badeau, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist at The Arc Wisconsin. “These cuts aren’t abstract. They will hurt real people in every community across Wisconsin.”
In addition to the proposed Medicaid cuts, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee also marked up a proposal last night to cut $290 billion—almost 30%—from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Wisconsin as FoodShare. Two-thirds of Wisconsinites who use SNAP/FoodShare also rely on Medicaid. The intersection of these cuts would compound harm and jeopardize basic needs for survival.
With May congressional recess scheduled for May 26–30, The Arc Wisconsin urges residents to meet with their elected officials and demand they reject any budget that cuts Medicaid. These programs are lifelines, not line items—and lives are on the line.
