U.S. Senators Visit NOAH

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, more than 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 700,000 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.