Proposed Health Care Cuts Threaten Thousands of Rhode Islanders: We Must Protect Their Coverage

Federal health care cuts could strip thousands of Rhode Islanders of essential coverage. Learn who is affected and what we can do to protect their access to care.

Thousands of Rhode Islanders are at risk of losing their health insurance as proposed federal budget cuts target Medicaid and other vital programs. These changes could disproportionately affect low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities who depend on affordable care every day.

🚨 What’s Happening?

Recent federal budget proposals call for deep cuts to Medicaid, threatening health care access for nearly 330,000 Rhode Islanders. That’s over 20% of the state’s population. These cuts are part of a larger effort to reduce federal spending, but at what cost?

📉 Who Will Be Affected?

• Children: Around 25,000 could lose health insurance.
• Seniors: May lose access to nursing home care and essential services.
• Low-income residents: Could see coverage eliminated or restricted.

Hospitals and health centers may also face reduced federal reimbursements, leading to staff cuts, closures, or decreased services—especially in underserved areas.

🩺 Local Health Care Providers Are Worried

Health professionals in Rhode Island are sounding the alarm. Dr. Michael Wagner of Care New England said the proposed cuts would be “devastating,” leaving thousands without reliable access to care.

Emergency physician Dr. Otto Liebmann even held a 25-hour solo protest outside the State House to raise awareness. “These changes will hurt the most vulnerable among us,” he told ABC 6 News.

🛡️ What Lawmakers Are Doing

Rhode Island leaders are pushing back. A new state-level bill—the Individual Market Affordability Act—seeks to protect residents from health insurance spikes and preserve access to coverage, especially for those in the ACA marketplace.

They’ve also called on Congress to reject the proposed federal cuts, emphasizing that Medicaid is not just a budget line—it’s a lifeline.

🙌 What You Can Do

• 🗳️ Contact your representatives and urge them to protect Medicaid.
• 🤝 Support advocacy groups like Protect Our Healthcare RI.
• 📢 Raise awareness by sharing facts and stories about those affected in your community.

✅ Final Thoughts

Health care is a right, not a privilege. As Rhode Islanders, we must stand together to ensure that no one is left behind due to budget politics. With your voice and action, we can protect our neighbors, our families, and ourselves.

For more information and updates, visit ProtectHealthRI.org.