Potential reductions in federal Medicaid funding could affect community health centers like Affinia Healthcare, which serves more than 43,700 patients across the St. Louis region, Democratic lawmakers said during a visit to the organization’s Ferguson clinic.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined U.S. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri’s 5th District and Wesley Bell of Missouri’s 1st District, along with Affinia Healthcare President and CEO Dr. Kendra Holmes, to discuss the role federally qualified health centers play in caring for low-income patients and the potential effects of proposed federal Medicaid cuts.
Affinia Healthcare operates multiple federally qualified health centers across the St. Louis region. According to the organization, more than 90% of its patients have incomes below the federal poverty level. The Ferguson clinic was developed after a community health assessment identified significant unmet primary care needs in North St. Louis County and was designed to serve about 8,675 patients annually.
Federally qualified health centers receive federal funding to provide primary and preventive care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Many also serve large numbers of Medicaid recipients and uninsured patients, making them particularly sensitive to changes in federal health policy.
Standing before a sign that read, “Healthcare is a Human Right,” Pelosi described health care as “a right for all, not just for a privileged few.”
During the discussion, Pelosi, Cleaver and Bell criticized proposed reductions in federal health spending that largely affect Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and public health programs.
Supporters of the proposed reductions have argued they are needed to reduce federal spending and address fraud and inefficiencies within government health programs. Pelosi countered that proposals to reduce Medicaid spending by about $1 trillion have also drawn concern from some Republicans.
About a dozen House Republicans signed a letter opposing reductions in Medicaid coverage, citing potential effects on vulnerable populations and rural hospitals. U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, and Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, also have spoken publicly in support of preserving Medicaid, with Hawley describing the program as “a vital safety net.”
Pelosi, Bell and Cleaver said the effects of Medicaid reductions would extend beyond urban areas to rural communities that also depend heavily on the program.
Bell said many rural communities already have experienced hospital closures and reductions in health care services.
“I’ve talked to many folks who identify as Republicans who’ve come up to me to say, ‘This fight is important to me,’” Bell said. “Americans on both sides of the aisle support access to quality and affordable health care.”
Bell called for regional cooperation to protect Medicaid and federally qualified health centers.
Holmes said community health centers provide a critical access point for patients who might otherwise go without preventive care, behavioral health services or treatment for chronic conditions.
The Ferguson clinic offers primary care, dental services and behavioral health care. It was built after community health assessments identified significant gaps in access to care in North St. Louis County, particularly for residents managing chronic illnesses and other ongoing health needs.
Pelosi said protecting Medicaid is essential to preserving that safety net.
“Healthcare is a human right,” she said. “It’s a right for all, not just for a privileged few.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
Capital Hill wants to cut Medicaid by $1 trillion. That would effect a lot of people and medical services. For some reason our government can not get the health care situation settled. I pray that this current attempt to cut health care fails. This current administration is the worst that I have seen in my life time. I absolutely loathe that Missouri is predominantly Republican. The orange clown in the Oval Office has no idea what he is doing. He is totally unfit to be running our country. Things have been a mess ever since he took office. His second term is way worse than his first term. I pray that he fails in his attempt to make it legal for a president to serve more than two terms. Our country may not survive if he succeeds. I will definitely be voting against the MAGA fueled Republican party.