NASHVILLE, TENN.- The Tennessee Medical Association (TMA) signed on to a letter with all U.S. state medical associations expressing concern over possible cuts to Medicaid included in the first iteration of the U.S. Budget Resolution.

The resolution, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week, has prompted a response to Congress from the state medical associations. “Our initial concern is that the Medicaid program is the largest target for financial cuts,” said TMA CEO Russ Miller. “But the Medicaid program is much more integrated into our state health system besides TennCare.”

The letter outlines how proposed Medicaid cuts can disproportionately harm at-risk and rural communities, result in negative impacts on the entire healthcare system and cause significant reductions in coverage across the nation. Authored by all 50 state medical associations, the message emphasizes the vast impacts of the proposed cuts.

“For decades, Medicaid has been the safety net for our most vulnerable patients – children, pregnant women, seniors, the disabled, veterans and low-income working families,” reads the letter. “If these cuts are enacted millions of our Medicaid patients will lose their coverage and we expect all Medicaid patients to lose some of their existing benefits and access to essential health care services. Once our patients lose coverage, their health conditions will worsen and the financial burden will shift to the states, physicians, emergency rooms, hospitals, and all other patients.”

This announcement about the task of the Administration to various Congressional Committees to find the funding cuts to move the budget comes as TMA has been lobbying the Tennessee Delegation about the most recent 2.83% cuts to Medicare reimbursements.

“It’s very frustrating and demoralizing to see our government promise to deliver quality medical programs to our vulnerable populations then cut those they expect to deliver the services,” said Miller. “We oppose the proposed cuts and encourage Tennessee physicians to contact their representatives to explain why cutting Medicaid and Medicare will be harmful to Tennesseans.”

TMA will continue to update members on this evolving story. To read the full letter, click here.