Healthcare organizations prioritize self-interests under Biden’s rule

As congressional Republicans eye an overhaul of the Medicaid program in their current policy strategy, it is distinctly noticeable that two significant industry groups have taken a punctuated step back from the fight. The American Medical Association, and the American Health Care Association, known for representing nursing homes, are marked by their reduced advocacy against potential cuts to Medicaid, which was not the case in 2017 when the question of the Affordable Care Act repeal was on the table.

The American Medical Association now appears more intent upon garnering political support to overturn the nearly 3% cut aimed at Medicare’s compensation for physicians. Echoing this redirection of advocacy, the American Health Care Association has turned its attention towards lobbying against regulations, implemented under Biden’s presidency, that mandate improved staffing ratios in nursing homes.

Perversely, instead of defending Medicaid, a program that serves as the primary financial sustainment for healthcare institutions with 6 out of every 10 nursing home residents relying upon this coverage, these groups are seemingly mute on the issue. It’s interesting to see their priorities change when their own interests come into play.

When asked to address this conspicuous silence on Medicaid, these industry giants conveniently abstained from responding. The nursing home group, however, has issued vague statements in favor of Medicaid. They assure us that they’re informing politicians about the importance of Medicaid for those with low incomes and disabilities.

Their baffling stance on the matter has been met with dissatisfaction amongst other advocates and congressional Democrats, who urge them to ‘speak out now’. The prevailing viewpoint among critics is that the American public will remember the organizations that, when push came to shove, stood against the detrimental slashing of Medicaid.

Amidst the tumult, Medicaid, which currently bears the primary responsibility of insuring around 80 million Americans, remains a ripe target for Republicans aiming to realize sizeable cuts to federal spending. These reductions are intended to cushion the financial impact of extending tax cuts implemented in Trump’s presidency and might put millions of lives on the line.

This unsettling development has alarmed many patient advocates and industry figures that cater to the needs of the most vulnerable amongst our population – children, Americans with disabilities and low-income older adults. Yet, despite the intensity of the crisis, the AMA and AHCA stand notably mute.

Marching to their own tune, pediatricians and safety-net hospital leaders have waged their defense of Medicaid with fervor, reaching out directly to Congress. An array of organizations such as the American Cancer Society’s affiliate Cancer Action Network and various state medical societies have loudly criticized the proposed cuts, and are urging Congress to rethink any decision to slash Medicaid funding.

It is starkly clear to those who cared to listen, the message from these fervent advocates is straightforward: ‘Massive cuts in federal funding will compel states to roll back essential services or impose excessive taxes on struggling Americans,’ argued the chief executive of the Federation of American Hospitals, another group battling to protect Medicaid.

Rewinding the clock to 2017, it is crucial to highlight that the AMA and AHCA were fierce advocates in the defense against any suggestions of repealing the Affordable Care Act, with the AHCA’s president voicing strong opposition to the repealing idea. It seems that in those days, protecting Medicaid was a cause worth fighting for.

In an ironic twist, we are witnessing a year where the AMA hasn’t written a single letter or issued any news releases that indicate opposition to Medicaid cuts. However, their communication about the physician fees situation has been disproportionately loud, a conflicting revelation that says a lot about their priorities.

Conspicuously, the AHCA voiced its first public defense of Medicaid this year after the House Republicans adopted a budget resolution that might jeopardize the program’s funding. Yet, when revealing their policy priorities, it was clear that negating the Biden-emposed staffing regulations took precedence over the protection of Medicaid.

As the battle over Medicaid’s future intensifies, defenders of the program are desperately seeking for more voices to oppose the proposed cuts. As one Democrat famously warned, silence is often perceived as acceptance. This tacit agreement with the GOP’s agenda to dismantle significant parts of our healthcare, especially for those most in need, is dangerously telling.