Proposed changes to Medicaid, other health programs could lead to over 51,000 preventable deaths, researchers warn

from Yale School of Public Health

In a letter to ranking Senate leaders, public health and policy researchers at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania warn that provisions in the House-passed federal budget reconciliation bill could lead to more than 51,000 deaths annually if enacted.

Addressed to the Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ron Wyden and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Sen. Bernie Sanders, the letter presents science-based projections of the human toll of eliminating key health protections. The findings point to catastrophic public health consequences from mass insurance losses and cuts to nursing home standards—provisions supported by the House bill.

The researchers estimate that 42,500 lives could be lost each year from disenrollments in Medicaid and Marketplace coverage and the rollback of nursing home staffing rules. An additional 8,811 deaths are projected from the expiration of the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) Premium Tax Credits, bringing the total to more than 51,000...

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