Hospitals Push to Reverse 2027 Medicaid Cuts as Democrats Eye January Repeal Drive
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Nov 12
Hospitals Push to Reverse 2027 Medicaid Cuts as Democrats Eye January Repeal Drive
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Nov 12
Summary
Hospitals are preparing a lobbying campaign to undo Republican Medicaid cuts before the first provisions take effect in 2027, betting Democrats’ return to congressional control in January creates a narrow opening.
Steve Walsh, the American Hospital Association’s new Washington chief, said the immediate goal is to show Congress the damage the cuts could cause, including more uninsured patients, emergency-department logjams and higher uncompensated care.
Democrats already back repeal, but passage would still require a few Republican senators and likely President Donald Trump; Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley is one possible target after criticizing the cuts last year.
The effort remains a long shot because Republicans could use the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold to block it, even as Congress has previously rolled back healthcare taxes enacted to help finance major laws.
The timeline adds urgency: Medicaid work requirements begin in January 2027, and new limits on state funding contributions are due in October 2027.