Local View: To protect women, protect Medicaid
In Washington, D.C., Medicaid is under attack; here in Nebraska, it is women that will suffer the consequences.
More than 100,000 women in Nebraska count on Medicaid for regular medical checkups, access to prescription drugs and hospital care. Indeed, women are the silent face of Medicaid, accounting for seven out of every 10 adults in Nebraska that rely on the program for health coverage.
President Bush, joined by leaders in the House, is pushing for deep cuts to Medicaid in this year's federal budget. In Nebraska, such cuts would be devastating to the thousands of women who rely on Medicaid for their health, well-being and, many times, their lives. With some of Nebraska's politicians poised to drastically cut this program, it is worth taking a moment to examine the human costs of these proposed cuts and what they actually would mean for women in Nebraska.
Cuts to Medicaid would be particularly harmful to women in Nebraska because women are much less likely to have access to private health coverage than men. Many women work part time, often in low-wage jobs that do not offer employer-sponsored health insurance. If the federal cuts go through, many of these women will be forced to join the rising number of uninsured in Nebraska.
Less funding for Medicaid also means less funding for important women's health programs that women in Nebraska count on. Medicaid is the largest public funder of family planning and prenatal services for women. In Nebraska, Medicaid ensures a safe delivery for three out of 10 newborns each year. Without Medicaid, where will low-income women go to get prenatal care and secure a healthy beginning for their children?
Medicaid is a lifeline for many women battling cancer. The American Cancer Society now warns that one in seven American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Medicaid provides screening and timely treatment for breast cancer, ensuring better chances of survival for thousands of women in Nebraska. Imagine trying to fight breast cancer without access to doctors.
In Nebraska, Medicaid plays a vital role in sustaining women's health as they grow older. Women live longer than men and face higher rates of most chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. Elderly women depend heavily on Medicaid for medicine and long-term care. More than half of all nursing home residents in Nebraska are financed by Medicaid. What will happen to these women if they are cut off of Medicaid and their families cannot afford to pay for the rising cost of health care?
Budgets reveal our core values. We would not turn our backs on our neighbors in times of need, so why are Nebraska politicians voting against our families?
Congressman Lee Terry is in a powerful position to stand up for what is right and oppose all cuts to Medicaid. In a recent town hall meeting in Omaha, Terry indicated that he believed Medicaid could first be examined by a commission rather than simply cut. Women in Nebraska are relying on his leadership to protect Medicaid and protect their health.
Elizabeth K. Rodacker of Lincoln is a commissioner for Lincoln/Lancaster Women's Commission and an associate professor at Union College.
More than 100,000 women in Nebraska count on Medicaid for regular medical checkups, access to prescription drugs and hospital care. Indeed, women are the silent face of Medicaid, accounting for seven out of every 10 adults in Nebraska that rely on the program for health coverage.
President Bush, joined by leaders in the House, is pushing for deep cuts to Medicaid in this year's federal budget. In Nebraska, such cuts would be devastating to the thousands of women who rely on Medicaid for their health, well-being and, many times, their lives. With some of Nebraska's politicians poised to drastically cut this program, it is worth taking a moment to examine the human costs of these proposed cuts and what they actually would mean for women in Nebraska.
Cuts to Medicaid would be particularly harmful to women in Nebraska because women are much less likely to have access to private health coverage than men. Many women work part time, often in low-wage jobs that do not offer employer-sponsored health insurance. If the federal cuts go through, many of these women will be forced to join the rising number of uninsured in Nebraska.
Less funding for Medicaid also means less funding for important women's health programs that women in Nebraska count on. Medicaid is the largest public funder of family planning and prenatal services for women. In Nebraska, Medicaid ensures a safe delivery for three out of 10 newborns each year. Without Medicaid, where will low-income women go to get prenatal care and secure a healthy beginning for their children?
Medicaid is a lifeline for many women battling cancer. The American Cancer Society now warns that one in seven American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Medicaid provides screening and timely treatment for breast cancer, ensuring better chances of survival for thousands of women in Nebraska. Imagine trying to fight breast cancer without access to doctors.
In Nebraska, Medicaid plays a vital role in sustaining women's health as they grow older. Women live longer than men and face higher rates of most chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. Elderly women depend heavily on Medicaid for medicine and long-term care. More than half of all nursing home residents in Nebraska are financed by Medicaid. What will happen to these women if they are cut off of Medicaid and their families cannot afford to pay for the rising cost of health care?
Budgets reveal our core values. We would not turn our backs on our neighbors in times of need, so why are Nebraska politicians voting against our families?
Congressman Lee Terry is in a powerful position to stand up for what is right and oppose all cuts to Medicaid. In a recent town hall meeting in Omaha, Terry indicated that he believed Medicaid could first be examined by a commission rather than simply cut. Women in Nebraska are relying on his leadership to protect Medicaid and protect their health.
Elizabeth K. Rodacker of Lincoln is a commissioner for Lincoln/Lancaster Women's Commission and an associate professor at Union College.
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