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Tuesday, April 29, 2025

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Trump marks first 100 days in office in campaign mode, focused on grudges and grievances; Maine's Rep. Pingree focuses on farm resilience as USDA cuts funding; AZ protesters plan May Day rally against Trump administration; Proposed Medicaid cuts could threaten GA families' health, stability.

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Trump marks first 100 days of his second term. GOP leaders praise the administration's immigration agenda, and small businesses worry about the impacts of tariffs as 90-day pause ends.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

Groups oppose Medicaid cuts threatening coverage for 3 million PA residents

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Thursday, April 10, 2025   

In Pennsylvania and nationwide, federal safety net programs may face major cutbacks as President Donald Trump's administration pushes for budget reductions.

The House GOP plan proposes cutting Medicaid funding by $2.5 trillion. Currently, 3 million Pennsylvanians are insured through Medicaid.

Becky Ludwick, vice president of public policy for Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said her group and more than 160 others, including the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, sent a letter to the state's congressional delegation urging members to reject proposed Medicaid cuts.

She argued the move would harm vulnerable residents, especially children who depend on the program for health insurance.

"Medicaid plays an especially large role for children, and covers 1.2 million Pennsylvania children currently," Ludwick outlined. "That includes children with special health care needs, children with disabilities, children who are living in families with lower incomes, children who are in the foster care system or aging out of the foster care system."

She pointed out in Pennsylvania, Medicaid is expanded to also support pregnant women and new mothers, which includes extended postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year. Advocates warned federal Medicaid cuts could worsen the national maternal health crisis by threatening this critical care.

Ludwick emphasized Medicaid has been crucial in lowering the uninsured rate for children, so less federal funding could jeopardize their coverage. She added having Medicaid means children can get the health care and preventive services their families would not otherwise be able to afford.

"Medicaid covers not only just physical health, but also mental health and dental care," Ludwick explained. "This would not only be for children when they're healthy, but also children who when they get sick, or children who have chronic medical conditions and need frequent prescription coverage and other care."

Ludwick encouraged families to still sign their children up for coverage through the Department of Human Services and the state's COMPASS website.

Disclosure: Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children/Kids Count contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Education, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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