Rep. Stanley expresses opposition to proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dear Editor:
As House Chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, I am alarmed over proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that could have catastrophic consequences for the aging population in the Commonwealth, including our most vulnerable in long-term care.
In Waltham, there are approximately 15,000 residents receiving Medicaid benefits, 2,000 of whom are aged 65. Statewide, over 2 million residents rely on MassHealth (the Commonwealth’s Medicaid program), including 200,000 older adults. Cuts to Medicaid and other programs administered by HHS would threaten access to health care and services for these people who have spent their lives building and supporting our communities.
The joint congressional budget resolution passed the House and Senate GOP on April 10th commits achieving at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next decade to extend the Trump 2017 tax cuts that expire at the end of the year. Make no mistake, the GOP won’t meet this funding target without significantly reducing funding for Medicaid (see CBO analysis). Cuts of this magnitude would jeopardize vital services for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income residents.
Moreover, Medicaid cuts would be catastrophic for Massachusetts – which receives nearly $14 billion annually in federal reimbursements for MassHealth – to our health system, state budget and economy. A new report from the Commonwealth Fund warns of the severe economic consequences across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with Massachusetts estimated to lose $1.5 billion in federal funding, a $3.2 billion total loss in economic output, and 9,300 job losses in the direct health workforce in 2026 alone.
Medicaid is a lifeline for our older adults, especially those in long-term care, covering over 70% of LTC expenses in the Commonwealth. These cuts would force impossible choices—reducing benefits, slashing critical services, or increasing costs on already struggling families.
In addition to Medicaid cuts, the Trump administration has announced the termination of over $12 billion in federal grants to state health departments, funds that were instrumental during the COVID-19 pandemic for combating infectious diseases, tracking mental health services and funding addiction treatment programs.
These cuts will have a profound impact, with millions of dollars allocated for behavioral health care, respiratory illness prevention and treatment, state laboratories, community health centers and public health workers in the state.
Furthermore, the restructuring of HHS under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to cut 10,000 jobs and consolidate various agencies, including eliminating the Administration for Community Living (ACL) which serves as a hub for programs and services that benefit older adults and people with disabilities, including Meals on Wheels. ACL also supports long-term care ombudsman programs that educate residents and families of their rights to address concerns in nursing homes and assisted living residences.
With our aging population expected to grow over the next 5-10 years (by 2023, 20% of the population will be 65+), it makes little sense to dismantle the only federal agency tasked with serving our older adults, their families and caregivers.
Overall, this reorganization threatens to disrupt essential services and weaken the state’s ability to respond to public health crises.
I urge Congress to reject these dangerous cuts and protect Medicaid and public health funding to ensure older adults and vulnerable residents continue to receive the care they need. The health and well-being of Massachusetts communities depend on sustained federal support and investment in public health infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tom Stanley
9th Middlesex District