Tag Archive for: Budget Cuts

What’s Next for Medicaid?

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Cuts to Medicaid (also known as AHCCCS in Arizona) and other important programs were recently approved by the House of Representatives, but the fight for Medicaid is far from over.

Approved by the House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the budget reconciliation bill known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on May 22 with a 215-214 vote.

Arizona Representatives’ Votes

RepresentativeVote
Yassamin AnsariNo
Andy BiggsYes
Juan CiscomaniYes
Elijah CraneYes
Paul A. GosarYes
Abraham HamadehYes
David SchweikertNot Voting*
Greg StantonNo
*David Schweikert missed the vote but has indicated he would have voted “yes”.

Medicaid Impacts

Work Requirements and Redeterminations

  • Mandatory work requirements for certain Medicaid enrollees, potentially impacting eligibility.
  • Requires eligibility redetermination for some adults more frequently, such as every six months. 

State Funding Limitations

  • Limits the use of state-directed payments and other state funding mechanisms, including provider taxes.
  • Reduces the federal matching rate (FMAP) for Medicaid expansion in states that voluntarily choose to expand.

Cost Sharing Penalties

  • Requires states to impose cost-sharing on people with incomes above the poverty level who are enrolled in Medicaid expansion. 
  • There are also provisions that could potentially penalize states that cover certain immigrant groups, particularly those who are not “qualified aliens” or “children or pregnant women who are lawfully residing in the United States”. 

Impact on Medicaid Expansion

  • The bill’s changes could significantly impact Medicaid expansion states, particularly those that have taken steps to expand coverage for immigrant groups.
  • Some analyses suggest that the bill could lead to a reduction in Medicaid enrollment and potentially increase the number of uninsured individuals.

What’s Next?

Now that the House of Representatives has passed the bill, it goes to the Senate, where Senators will debate and, if necessary, amend the bill. If the Senate requires any changes be made to pass the bill, the House and Senate will meet to come to an agreement on any differences. Then the House will have to vote again on final passage before the bill goes to the President to be signed into law.

Many Senators, including Arizona’s Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly have expressed concerns about cuts to Medicaid and have indicated they intend to change or oppose these cuts. This process gives us the opportunity to continue our advocacy efforts with U.S. Representatives from Arizona as there’s a good chance the bill may end up back in the House for another vote.

How You Can Help

Continue to contact Arizona delegates in the House of Representatives and let them know why Medicaid matters to you.

  • Submit a comment here. NOAH will print it on a postcard, address it to the representative for your district, and mail it for you.
  • Use our Medicaid Matters Toolkit for sample letters and statements as well as contact information to reach out to your representative by mail, email, or phone.
  • Share this information with your family and friends and encourage them to speak up for Medicaid.

More Information

Medicaid and the federal budget process are both complicated topics. Check out this article to understand more about Medicaid and this article to learn how cuts could impact you.

Is My Healthcare at Risk?

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The federal government has proposed huge cuts to Medicaid over the next 10 years beginning with the budget for 2026. Many Arizonans rely on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage but don’t know it because Medicaid is referred to as AHCCCS (pronounced “access”) in Arizona.

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program with oversight at the federal and state levels that provides healthcare insurance to low-income individuals and families. It covers a broad range of services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive care. Eligibility is primarily based on income and household size. Medicaid is often confused with Medicare which provides healthcare coverage to people over the age of 65 or younger individuals with certain health conditions.

Medicaid in Arizona: AHCCCS

In Arizona, Medicaid is administered by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, also known as AHCCCS (written as AHCCCS and sounds like access). It offers health insurance to low-income families and individuals. While AHCCCS operates under the same federal guidelines as Medicaid, it is tailored to meet the specific needs of Arizona residents. AHCCCS offers various healthcare programs to serve eligible individuals and families in the state.

AHCCCS Health Plans in Arizona

AHCCCS contracts with several health plans to provide medical services to its members. These plans function similarly to Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), coordinating care through networks of doctors, hospitals, and other providers – including NOAH. Members typically select a health plan available in their geographic area.

Some of the AHCCCS health plans available in our area include:

  • Arizona Complete Health – Complete Care Plan
  • Banner-University Family Care
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Mercy Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan

Each plan serves specific counties and may offer additional benefits. Members can find more information and select a plan that best fits their needs through the AHCCCS website.

Why Awareness Matters

Many individuals enrolled in AHCCCS may not realize they are on Medicaid, especially if they associate their coverage with a specific health plan name. This lack of awareness can lead to misunderstandings about how policy changes or funding cuts to Medicaid (like the ones we are currently facing) could directly affect their health coverage and access to services.

Understanding that AHCCCS is Arizona’s Medicaid program also results in better communication between patients and healthcare providers ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about their healthcare options.

Even if you’re not a Medicaid recipient, it’s important to know that everyone stands to lose something if proposed budget cuts are approved by congress. Medicaid recipients will be directly impacted while others will likely see a rise in healthcare costs, increased premiums, crowded emergency rooms, and a trickle down effect on grocery prices and other basic needs.

Take Action

As lawmakers voted into office, our representatives look to their constituents (people who live in their districts) to determine how to vote on specific issues. It’s important that we communicate to them why Medicaid matters in our community and how cuts will be detrimental to Arizona residents.

Here’s How:

  • Find out if you’re enrolled in an AHCCCS health plan. It’s best to identify whether or not you are a Medicaid recipient when speaking up against proposed budget cuts. Either way, your voice is important.
  • Stay informed about any proposed changes to Medicaid policies.
  • Utilize resources in our Medicaid Matters toolkit to help communicate your views.
  • Personal stories make a big impact. If you aren’t comfortable or don’t know how to share your story, reach out to us at noahcares@noahhelps.org for assistance.
Share Your Story

Together, we can make a difference.

Speak Up: Help Protect Medicaid

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Medicaid is health insurance for people who need help. It helps kids, seniors, people with disabilities, and families who work hard but still can’t afford health care. In Arizona, it’s called AHCCCS (say it like “access”).

Right now, people in Washington, D.C. are talking about making big cuts to Medicaid.

What does that mean?

It means some people could lose their health insurance.
It means fewer doctor visits, less mental health care, and trouble getting medicine.
It means more stress for families who are already struggling.

This would hurt thousands of people in our communities — maybe even you or someone you love.

Your voice matters.

Lawmakers need to hear from regular people — not just lobbyists or politicians. They need to hear that Medicaid is important. That we need to keep it strong.

If they don’t hear from us, they might think we don’t care. And then they might make cuts that could hurt people.

How can you help?

It’s easy. We made a Medicaid Toolkit to help you speak up. It includes:

  • A short message you can send to your elected leaders
  • A postcard you can fill out and mail
  • Talking points for a phone call
  • Spanish and English versions

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care. The toolkit makes it simple.

Let’s do this together.

When we speak up, we protect health care. We protect our families. We protect each other.

CLICK HERE TO GET TO THE MEDICAID TOOLKIT

Or ask a team member at NOAH — we can help you get started.

Let’s make sure they hear us loud and clear:
Medicaid is not just a program. It’s a promise.

U.S. Senators Visit NOAH

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NOAH welcomed U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly to Cholla Health Center for an important Town Hall event on March 17. The event, hosted by the senators, focused on prioritizing Medicaid funding and brought more than 100 participants including NOAH executives and board members, business and community leaders, Medicaid recipients, and members of the media.

Why NOAH?

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, nearly half of NOAH’s patients are covered by Medicaid, otherwise known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System or AHCCCS. As with most government spending, Medicaid funding is currently under review by the federal administration and faces significant cuts. Changes to the program could impact as many as 2.5 million Arizonans who are on AHCCCS and thousands of others who work in jobs associated with this vital program.

Impact to Arizona

While decisions regarding specific cuts won’t be clear until passed by legislation, we know Medicaid could be the target of at least $880 billion in nationwide cuts over the next 10 years. According to a study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, Arizona stands to lose $1.8 billion in Medicaid funding and 24,000 jobs in 2026 alone.

Whether or not you or someone you know relies on Medicaid, everyone is expected to be impacted by federal budget cuts as changes in spending will have trickle down effect on our entire economy.

How You Can Help

Senators Gallego and Kelly urged Town Hall attendees to stay informed about proposed budget cuts and share their opinions not only with legislators but with family, friends, and neighbors. Everyone has the right to have their voice heard and our elected officials rely on input from their constituents to make informed decisions.

To impact decisions at a national level, you can call or write the congressional representative for your district indicated below. You can also visit each representative’s individual website by clicking on their name. This is a great tool to learn more about your representative and email them directly.

U.S. Congressional Districts for the State of Arizona

Click Here to Find Your District

U.S. Representatives

Districtrepresentativelocal officeWashington dc Office
1David Schweikert14500 N. Northsight Blvd.
Suite 221
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: (480) 946-2411		166 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2190
2Elijah Crane122 N. Cortez St.
Suite 211
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: (928) 286-5338		307 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3361
3Yassamin Ansari1432 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4065
4Greg Stanton1220 S Alma School Rd. 
Suite 209
Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (602) 956-2463		207 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-9888
5Andy Biggs2509 S. Power Rd.
Suite 204 – Superstition Plaza
Mesa, AZ  85209
Phone: (480) 699-8239		464 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-2635
6Juan Ciscomani 1636 N Swan Rd.
Suite 200
Tucson, AZ  85712
Phone: (520) 881-3588

By Appt. Only
2600 E. Wilcox Dr.
Room H-106
Sierra Vista, AZ  85635
Phone: (520) 459-3115		461 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-2542
7VacantVirtual Office
Tolleson, AZ 85353
Phone: (623) 536-3388

El Pueblo Community Center
101 W. Irvington Rd. Bldg 4,
Tucson, AZ 85714
P: 520-622-6788

PO Box 4105
Somerton, AZ 85350
P: 928-343-7933		1203 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2435
8Abraham Hamadeh12515 W. Bell Rd.
Suite 104
Surprise, AZ  85378
Phone: (623) 776-7911		1722 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-4576
9Paul A. Gosar1300 S. Litchfield Rd.
Suite 115-H
Goodyear, AZ 85338
Phone: (623) 707-0530		2057 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2315

U.S. Senators

SenatorLocal OfficeWashington DC Office
Ruben Gallego3333 E. Camelback Rd.
Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (480) 697-3600

20 East Ochoa Street
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 777-0400
SH-302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4521
Mark Kelly 2201 E. Camelback Rd.
Suite 115
Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phone: (602) 671-7901

100 North Stone Avenue
Suite 600
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 475-5177		Hart Senate Office Building, Suite 516
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2235