03.21.25

Medicaid Cuts Would Cost Money and Endanger Lives, Say Central WA Health Care Providers

Medicaid, known in WA as Apple Health, would face significant cuts from GOP budget proposal to slash up to $880 billion from essential health care program

RICHLAND, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, held a press conference with Central Washington health care professionals and providers to discuss the harms that would result from proposed cuts to Medicaid.

“Our health care system today does save money when we give people the freedom to see a doctor when they need to, instead of forcing them to wait until they absolutely have to,” said Sen. Cantwell. ”These attempts aren’t about reducing costs, they are literally about destroying our health care system.”

“It is a tsunami. And trust me, this is not a drill,” she continued. “This is a real proposal, and we have to wake up the American people, and certainly here in Central Washington, to the devastating impacts they could see if Medicaid was cut.”

“There's very good evidence from multiple studies that preventive care delivers better quality of life, better health outcomes, at a lower overall cost,” said Dr. Richard Meadows, Chief Medical Officer, Providence Clinical Network. “The thought that somehow saving money by not funding Medicaid would be better for our country, it just does not make any financial sense, because we know from studies that if you wait and treat things later on it is far more expensive. People miss more time from work, they're not able to be there for their families, and ultimately it costs all of us as taxpayers more money.”

Brenda Morgan, a Tri-Cities area home care provider, shared the story of her client, Samantha, an autistic young adult with a heart condition, who needs a feeding tube for meals and medications. “She wants me to ask you,” Morgan said, “’Why aren’t people thinking about us? Do they not know that I can’t survive without Medicaid?’”

Medicaid is the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Washington state's Medicaid program, Apple Health, ensures that eligible Washingtonians can afford to seek health care and see providers when they need to.  The program also ensures that hospitals receive reimbursements for the significant number of low-income people they serve. Medicaid paid for $3.36 billion in hospital care in Washington state in state fiscal year 2024. More than 1.9 million Washingtonians are enrolled in Medicaid.

  • In the 4th U.S. Congressional District, 70% of children and 24% of adults are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
  • In Washington state legislative district 16, which includes Richland, 60% of kids and 32% of the total population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
  • In legislative district 8, which includes Kennewick and most of Benton County, 49% of kids and 26% of the total population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
  • In Yakima County’s legislative district 15, 87% of kids and 51% of the population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health. These are the highest numbers for any legislative district in the state.

On February 25, House Republicans voted to advance President Trump’s budget resolution, which proposes up to an $880 billion cut from Medicaid.

Last month, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state's health care system -- especially in Central and Eastern Washington.

The other participants in today’s roundtable were Reza Kaleel, Chief Executive Southeast Washington Service Area Kadlec and Providence St. Mary; Regina Ahl, Director of Pharmacy, Tri-Cities Community Health; Dr. John Matheson, Chief Medical Officer, Kadlec Regional Medical Center; and Everett Maroon, Executive Director, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart.       

Video of today’s entire press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s opening statement is HERE; photos are HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s opening statement is HERE.

###