Fact Check: People will die due to Medicaid cuts

Fact Check: "People will die due to Medicaid cuts"

What We Know

Recent analyses indicate that proposed cuts to Medicaid could result in significant mortality rates among vulnerable populations. According to a letter from public health researchers at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania, the provisions in the House-passed federal budget reconciliation bill could lead to over 51,000 preventable deaths annually if enacted. This estimate includes various factors such as disenrollment from Medicaid and the rollback of nursing home staffing standards.

The researchers project that approximately 42,500 lives could be lost due to the loss of Medicaid and ACA Marketplace coverage, with an additional 8,811 deaths anticipated from the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits. Specifically, the analysis highlights that 18,200 dual-eligible individuals—those who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid—would die each year due to reduced access to subsidized medications following Medicaid cuts (Experts: Medicaid Cuts Could Prove Fatal for Thousands).

Analysis

The claim that "people will die due to Medicaid cuts" is supported by robust research from credible institutions. The estimates of mortality are based on peer-reviewed studies that quantify the relationship between health insurance coverage, access to essential medications, and nursing home staffing levels with all-cause mortality. The researchers utilized data from the Congressional Budget Office to model the potential impacts of the proposed cuts (Proposed changes to Medicaid, other health programs could ...).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they come from established public health experts and institutions. The authors of the letter include Dr. Alison Galvani, Director of the Yale Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, and Dr. Eric Roberts from the University of Pennsylvania, both of whom have significant credentials in health policy research. Their findings are corroborated by other studies that predict similar outcomes, indicating a consensus among experts regarding the potential health impacts of Medicaid cuts (How Massive Medicaid Cuts Will Harm People's Health).

However, it is essential to note that while the estimates are alarming, they are projections based on current data and assumptions about how states will respond to funding cuts. The actual mortality rates could vary based on numerous factors, including state-level policy decisions and the adaptability of healthcare systems (New research analysis predicts that reductions in Medicaid ...).

Conclusion

The claim that "people will die due to Medicaid cuts" is True. The evidence provided by multiple credible sources indicates that significant cuts to Medicaid could lead to over 51,000 preventable deaths annually, particularly affecting low-income individuals, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions. The projections are based on sound research methodologies and reflect a consensus among health policy experts about the potential consequences of such cuts.