Urge Iowa lawmakers to reject Medicaid funding cuts

I am a Pulmonary physician living in Solon and I routinely see residents living with a variety of complex lung diseases including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease and lung cancer. My patients depend on access to affordable treatments and medications to ensure that they can stay healthy enough to go to work, go to family events and live a fulfilling life. Quality and affordable healthcare is critical to my patients’ ability to be productive, fulfilled and engaged citizens.

Unfortunately, some leaders in Congress are discussing significant cuts to the Medicaid program, which would impact 678,107 Iowa residents who currently depend on this program for healthcare. If this happens:

• Many kids could not get well-visit check-ups or see their doctor when they’re sick;

• Many seniors would be forced to leave long-term care;

• Pregnant women would lose access to prenatal services that ensure healthy pregnancies and babies; and

• People living with lung disease like my patients may have to defer necessary healthcare.

Cutting funding to Medicaid will harm children, older adults, and people living with cancer and chronic diseases like my patients. I am joining the American Lung Association to advocate to keep everyone’s lungs healthy! Join me by contacting Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Rep. Zach Nunn to urge them to reject any cuts to Medicaid and continue to provide access to quality, affordable and lifesaving healthcare coverage.

Thomas J Gross, MD

Public policy chair, Iowa

American Lung Association