By: Jamie Rivers
Updated: May 5, 2017
Originally Published: May 5, 2017
The latest buzz surrounding the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which recently passed in the House of Representatives, is nothing short of disheartening. For those grappling with illness, the prospect of affordable recovery is fading fast. Sorry, folks battling serious health issues—apparently, those in good health need their flu shots and erectile dysfunction meds more than you require life-saving treatments. But wait, it gets worse! Millions of children who rely on special education services are about to face severe setbacks thanks to this bill.
Typically, healthcare and education might not seem intertwined, but here’s the kicker: Medicaid is the lifeline for many special education programs in schools. According to the AHCA, Medicaid funding would be slashed by a staggering $880 billion (that’s a whopping 25%) over the next decade. The New York Times aptly pointed out that the proposed legislation would enforce a “per-capita cap” on Medicaid funding—essentially transforming it from an entitlement that covers all costs into a restrictive program with limited resources.
It’s almost as if our government has taken a class on how to prioritize the needs of the wealthy while ignoring the vulnerable. Clearly, they think we’re all on board with the idea of letting our children fend for themselves, perhaps foraging for health remedies in the woods or hoping for miracles instead of receiving proper care.
Currently, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (that federal law which our new Secretary of Education seems to misunderstand), school districts must provide quality services to children with disabilities. They depend on Medicaid reimbursements to help cover the costs. However, if the AHCA passes, states could decide that schools are no longer eligible for those reimbursements. This means that while states are still mandated to provide services to these kids, they will likely be unable to afford it—talk about a pickle, a rotten and morally repugnant one at that.
For many children with disabilities, schools are the only places they can access critical services. The Save Medicaid in School Coalition recently stated, “School-based Medicaid programs serve as a lifeline to children who can’t access critical health care and health services outside of their school…The projected loss of $880 billion in federal Medicaid dollars will compel States to ration health care for children.” This bill represents a heartless, almost Darwinian approach to healthcare distribution. By hamstringing schools’ ability to provide adequate services, we risk abandoning our most vulnerable citizens.
As former Vice President Hubert Humphrey once said, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.” If that’s the benchmark, we’re headed for a fail.
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Summary
The AHCA’s proposed cuts to Medicaid could significantly impact special education funding, potentially leaving millions of children without essential services. This legislation, which prioritizes the wealthy over vulnerable populations, raises serious ethical concerns about how our government supports its citizens in need.