D’Esposito must support fully funding Medicaid

As we mark another Medicaid Awareness Month this April, we must reflect on the profound impact this program has had on the lives of millions of Americans. Signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicaid has transformed access to health care for low-income, disabled and elderly Americans.

Building on this progress, New York has long been a national leader in offering comprehensive health coverage to its residents, including roughly 7.5 million — more than a third of the state’s total population — in the Medicaid program. On Long Island alone, more than 765,000 people are enrolled.

While Medicaid provides financial security and access to health care to more New Yorkers than ever before, Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, are threatening Medicaid by pushing for devastating cuts to key federal programs.

Earlier in his tenure, D’Esposito claimed to support fully funding critical lifeline programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He has gone back on this promise time and time again, however, including supporting a provision that would slash nearly all government funding by 30 percent.

Long Island families are already grappling with financial hardships, including difficulties affording mortgages, utilities and groceries. Cutting funding to critical safety-net programs like Medicaid would directly harm hard-working families who are just trying to find health care for their loved ones and make ends meet.

The consequences of cutting Medicaid funding would be disastrous, especially for children. The program covers more than 38 million children, and pays for 41 percent of all births nationwide. Additionally, 60 percent of children with disabilities receive their coverage from Medicaid.

The program also plays an important role in addressing the opioid epidemic, one of the most urgent public health crises facing Long Island. Thousands of Island residents have died of overdoses since the crisis began, and drug deaths hit a record 109,689 nationwide in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long Islanders battling substance abuse disorders rely on Medicaid coverage for treatment and behavioral health services.

While President Biden and Democrats in Congress have championed reducing health care costs and improving access to care for the American people, Republicans like D’Esposito are actively working to roll back that progress.

Fully funding Medicaid is simply common sense: It has drastically decreased the uninsured rate, improved health outcomes and reduced the costs of uncompensated care. Having health insurance through Medicaid helps Americans stay healthy, go to work, care for their families and pay their bills. The program helps our communities, hospitals, schools and economy thrive.

But D’Esposito’s voting record shows that time and again, he is in line with MAGA extremists who are pushing for Medicaid cuts, going against the best interests and well-being of our Long Island communities.

Rep. D’Esposito, I urge you to listen to your constituents, who are calling on you to fully fund these vital programs. In the wealthiest nation on earth, no one should have to go into debt to cover the cost of their basic medical needs. If your MAGA Republican colleagues get their way, the most vulnerable New Yorkers will be left behind.

Joseph Sackman is the chief of staff of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.