Federal safety net programs face major potential cuts as the Trump administration pursues budget reductions, with a House GOP proposal suggesting $2.5 trillion in cuts to Medicaid.
Three million Pennsylvanians are insured through Medicaid, and a Georgetown University report showed rural residents rely on Medicaid more than people in metro areas.
Becky Ludwick, vice president of public policy for Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said Medicaid is vital in providing health care for the state, which ranks fifth in the nation for its rural population.
“In looking at the number of individuals who rely on Medicaid for their health care, we looked at the number of children first,” Ludwick explained. “More than 37% of children in Pennsylvania small towns and rural areas rely on Medicaid for their coverage.”