Central Washington doctors, patients, and hospital administrators are issuing a warning, in today’s Tri-City Herald, that if Rep. Newhouse votes to cut our Medicaid and Apple Health, we will all face serious impacts.
Steep reductions to the Washington Medicaid, or Apple Health, would impact services for other residents, according to health care officials.
They could mean even busier emergency rooms, the closure of rural hospitals and loss of community doctors, and fewer medical services for everyone as hospitals lose Medicaid revenue.
“When hospitals are forced to cut services to remain financially viable, those cuts affect everyone, not just Medicaid patients,” said Reza Kaleel, chief executive of Providence Southeast Washington Service Area, which includes Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland and Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla.
As of this morning, more than 9,000 of us, including you have contacted Rep. Newhouse asking him to vote NO on draining $880 billion from health care critical to more than 60% of Central Washington’s children.
Even if you don’t know anyone who relies on Medicaid or Apple Health, cuts will impact you as emergency rooms crowd, and rural hospitals and doctors close their doors.
We know that personal experiences and comments make a big difference to Congressman Newhouse, so please send a personalized email to him today.
Thank you for taking action to protect Medicaid and Apple Health for 300,000 Central Washingtonians.
Your friend,
Emilio Meraz-Rodriguez
Central WA Families
2624 North Division Street, #1089
Spokane, WA 99207
United States