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Governor Katie Hobbs and Health Care Providers from Across Arizona Sound the Alarm about Potential Medicaid Cuts

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Phoenix, AZ ~ Phoenix, AZ - Governor Katie Hobbs and healthcare providers from across Arizona have come together to denounce the proposed federal Medicaid cuts and the potential harm they could cause. This statement comes after Governor Hobbs hosted a roundtable discussion with healthcare providers to address the detrimental effects that these cuts could have on everyday Arizonans, hospitals, and health clinics.

During the roundtable, Governor Hobbs expressed her concerns about the proposed cuts, stating that they could result in hundreds of thousands of Arizonans losing their health insurance. She also emphasized that these cuts could have a devastating impact on clinics and hospitals throughout Arizona, particularly in rural areas. "Cuts to Medicaid will make it harder for Arizonans to access necessary healthcare services and will greatly impact local economies across our state," said Governor Hobbs. She also added that politicians in Washington are putting the health of Arizonans at risk and that Arizona taxpayers cannot afford to bear the consequences of their decisions. Governor Hobbs urged Congress to reconsider their plans or face dire consequences for Arizona.

Dr. Brianna Hillier, DMD, Director of Dental Services at Chiricahua Community Health Centers serving Cochise County, shared her perspective on how Medicaid plays a crucial role in rural areas. "In rural Arizona, Medicaid is more than just health insurance - it means a child doesn't have to suffer in pain from a dental abscess. Without Medicaid, many preventive oral health visits would disappear, depriving children of the chance to grow up healthy," said Dr. Hillier.

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Christopher Hansen, CEO of Canyonlands Healthcare serving Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Mohave, and Navajo Counties also expressed his concerns about the potential cuts. "Out here in rural areas, we are used to doing more with less. But if these cuts go through, we will be forced to do less with nothing - something our communities cannot afford," said Hansen. He emphasized that Medicaid is the backbone of rural health in Arizona and any cuts to the program would have a severe impact on these communities.

Amy Taylor, CEO of Mariposa Community Health Center serving Santa Cruz County, highlighted the importance of Medicaid in border and rural communities. "For many families in our community, Medicaid is the only way to access healthcare. It supports essential services such as prenatal visits, behavioral health, and cancer screenings - all of which are crucial for keeping families healthy and together," said Taylor. She added that the proposed cuts would put this lifeline at risk.

Jonathan Leonard, CEO of Sunset Community Health Center serving Yuma County, shared his concerns about the impact on patients who travel long distances for healthcare services. "We serve people who drive hours for a check-up. Medicaid ensures that these trips end with treatment rather than a closed door. If these cuts go through, it will be even more challenging for rural communities to access healthcare," said Leonard.

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Jessica Yanow, CEO of Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers representing clinics serving all 15 Arizona counties, spoke about the progress made by community health centers in partnership with state and federal agencies to make Medicaid work for underserved populations. "This proposal would reverse all the progress we have made and hit rural and frontier communities the hardest," said Yanow.

Dave Cheney, President & CEO of Northern Arizona Healthcare serving Coconino and Yavapai Counties, highlighted how residents in rural areas rely heavily on Medicaid compared to those living in urban areas. He also emphasized that cuts to Medicaid could have a damaging effect on essential healthcare services for all residents in rural communities, regardless of their insurance coverage. Cheney also mentioned that tribal communities would be disproportionately affected by these cuts as they heavily rely on Medicaid coverage and special provisions under Indian Health Services.

In conclusion, Governor Hobbs and healthcare providers from across Arizona are urging Congress to reconsider their plans for federal Medicaid cuts. They believe that these cuts would have a severe impact on the health and well-being of Arizonans, especially those living in rural areas. They also emphasized that these cuts would have a ripple effect on local economies and shift costs to businesses and privately insured individuals.

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