Meet the Many Faces of Medicaid: Why federal cuts would put the nation's health at risk
Medicaid is a lifeline and a safety net. Meet some of our patients from the Providence family of organizations who have benefitted from this essential program. We ask you to raise your voice to protect Medicaid and those who rely it for their health care needs.
As U.S. lawmakers debate critical policy issues, Providence agrees there are important savings to be found in the health care sector. That’s why we’re actively advocating for – and doing our part to build – a sustainable health care system, one that everyone can access and afford.
But slashing Medicaid, as some leaders are proposing, is not the answer. In fact, we believe strongly that doing so would have dire consequences that would put the nation’s health at risk. As people lose access to coverage, care will be delayed, access to vital services will be restricted and costs will rise. This will disproportionately affect patients in rural areas.
Established in 1965, Medicaid is a lifeline for more than 79 million people across the country. This includes children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and pregnant patients.
Whether we realize it or not, nearly all of us have friends, neighbors or loved ones who depend on Medicaid as their only option for health care. If funding for the program is cut, they could lose access to vital medical services.
Yet, Medicaid is not widely understood. There are many stereotypes and myths about who benefits from it. To further confuse matters, it goes by different names in different states.
As lawmakers debate whether to continue funding this vital program, it’s important for all of us to understand who would be affected and what it would mean if the program were cut.
On behalf of the patients Providence serves who rely on Medicaid, we've been meeting with lawmakers to make sure they understand how Medicaid cuts would impact the people they represent.
Raise your voice to help support Medicaid
At Providence, our Mission calls on us to serve everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Several of our patients have generously volunteered to share their stories to help shed light on how this program makes a difference in people’s lives every day.
We invite you to meet some of the Many Faces of Medicaid, read their inspiring stories and join us in being a voice for those who depend on this vital safety net for their health care needs.
Yours in Providence,
Erik G. Wexler, President & CEO
About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has served the Puget Sound region since the first Providence hospital opened in Seattle in 1877 and the first Swedish hospital opened in 1910. The two organizations affiliated in 2012 and today comprise the largest health care delivery system in Western Washington, with 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals and 244 clinics. A not-for-profit family of organizations, Providence Swedish provides more than $406 million in community benefit in the Puget Sound Region each year. The health system offers a comprehensive range of services and specialty and subspecialty care in a number of clinical areas, including cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, digestive health and women’s and children’s care.
