As Congress returns to Capitol Hill for a high-stakes, three-week session, Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are working to hammer out a unified budget resolution—a key step in beginning the budget reconciliation process. That process could pave the way for major policy changes on taxes, border security, energy, and deficit reduction.

But among the most concerning proposals under consideration are significant cuts to Medicaid funding—reductions that hospitals and health advocates warn could devastate access to care for millions of Americans and jeopardize essential services.

Medicaid’s Reach — and What’s at Risk

Medicaid serves more than 72 million people in the U.S., including low-income families, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. The program funds:

• 41% of all births
• Nearly half of all children with special health care needs
• 1 in 3 children with cancer
• Over 1.6 million veterans
• 62% of nursing home residents

Hospitals, especially those in rural or underserved areas, rely on Medicaid payments to sustain critical services such as emergency care, mental health programs, and chronic disease management. Many of these hospitals already operate at a financial loss—and further cuts would threaten their ability to remain open.

Advocacy Campaigns Mobilize to Protect Care

With a razor-thin margin in both chambers of Congress, every vote matters. That’s why hospital leaders and advocates are launching intensified outreach efforts to communicate the real-life consequences of Medicaid cuts.

The Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare, co-founded by the American Hospital Association (AHA), has launched the Faces of Medicaid campaign—a nationwide initiative spotlighting how Medicaid supports patients and communities. The campaign features:

• Targeted digital ads aimed at key lawmakers
• Stories and testimonials in major Beltway media outlets
• Grassroots mobilization of 2.6 million advocates contacting their elected representatives.

Budget Deal Still in Early Stages

Although Republican lawmakers hope to finalize a common budget framework soon, deep policy differences remain. Reaching a resolution would only initiate the formal process of drafting a reconciliation package, meaning there’s still time for lawmakers to hear from constituents.

AHA Meeting to Amplify Advocacy in May

Hospitals will also have a major platform to advocate at the AHA’s Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled for May 4–6 in Washington, D.C. The event will bring together health leaders and top policymakers to discuss urgent priorities and meet directly with members of Congress.

In addition to opposing Medicaid cuts, attendees will advocate for:

• Extending enhanced premium tax credits for affordable health insurance
• Protecting the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps hospitals afford outpatient medications
• Preventing Medicare site-neutral payment policies that could reduce access to care in vulnerable communities

A Pivotal Moment for U.S. Health Care

With so much at stake, health leaders are urging a unified and persistent message to lawmakers: protect access to 24/7 care, preserve hospital funding, and ensure millions of Americans—especially those in underserved areas—aren’t left behind.

“The message is clear,” said hospital advocates. “Cutting Medicaid is cutting care. And our communities can’t afford that.”