Iowa lawmakers weigh in on Iowans' concerns over Medicaid cuts
"We strengthened and preserved Medicaid for those it was intended for," said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
"We strengthened and preserved Medicaid for those it was intended for," said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
"We strengthened and preserved Medicaid for those it was intended for," said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
Changes to Medicaid have been one of the most controversial parts of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.
That's why one Iowa City mother, Jonna Higgins-Freese, went all the way to Capitol Hill to share her concerns and spoke during a press conference with House Democrats.
But in an interview with vlog, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says families like hers don't have anything to fear.
One of the biggest changes to Medicaid is the eligibility requirements, but that's not the part that Higgins-Freese says she's most worried about.
Instead, she's worried about the amount of funding available to families like hers. Two of her children have relied on Medicaid since birth.
"Medicaid pays for health insurance. It pays for health care. It pays for prescriptions. It pays for respite care," she said.
Under the changes, Higgins-Freese's children are still eligible for care, but the Congressional Budget Office estimates federal spending on Medicaid and and Children's Health Insurance Program benefits will drop by over a trillion dollars.
That's why Miller-Meeks says these changes will help families like Higgins-Freese's.
"That is waste, fraud and abuse that we have rooted out of the system," Miller-Meeks said. "We will save Medicaid dollars so those dollars can go to families."
She says that because the changes narrow who qualifies for Medicaid, it will help streamline the system, ultimately allowing each dollar put into it to do more.
"We strengthened and preserved Medicaid for those it was intended for. Those mothers shouldn't have to be concerned about their children," said Miller-Meeks.
Congressman Zach Nunn also echoed many of Miller-Meeks' points in an interview with vlog on Friday.
"I want to crack down on the fraud, waste, and abuse that's depriving these programs of being successful into the future," he said.
The full effect of the changes to Medicaid likely won't be seen and felt until months down the line. And until that happens, Higgins-Freese is nervous for the future.
"We don't know yet what the impact of the Medicaid cuts will be on our family specifically. There are just a lot of unknowns," Higgins-Freese said.