Congress member Suzan DelBene speaks at a roundtable on Thursday, April 17 in Monroe, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

Congress member Suzan DelBene speaks at a roundtable on Thursday, April 17 in Monroe, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)

DelBene talks possible Medicaid cuts at Monroe roundtable

Health experts worry potential cuts to the program could harm people’s health, strain hospital resources and drive up the cost of care.

MONROE — Amid concerns over potential Medicaid cuts, Congress member Suzan DelBene of Medina hosted a roundtable in Monroe on Thursday, discussing the impacts cuts may have in Snohomish County and nationwide.

A budget resolution passed by the House of Representatives on April 10 called on the Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion from its budget. That committee oversees $25 trillion in spending, most of which goes to Medicare and Medicaid.

The House budget resolution doesn’t specifically target Medicaid, but it would be nearly impossible to cut that much spending without affecting the program, The New York Times reported.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

At the roundtable, health experts and Medicaid recipients said any cuts to the program could have devastating effects on the health of millions of people and drive up insurance costs for those with private coverage.

“Every dollar that goes into Medicaid, you’re probably saving two or three because you’re doing care earlier in a preventative way,” said Stephen Gardner, an emergency medical physician at EvergreenHealth.

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program for people with very low incomes. As of November 2024, 71.8 million people across the country were enrolled in Medicaid, just over 20% of the population of the United States.

Polls show a majority of Americans think the government is spending too little on Medicaid, not too much. About 23% of Washington’s population, or 1.8 million people, is covered by Medicaid. As many as 45% of births in Washington are covered by Medicaid, said Charissa Fotinos, the deputy chief medical officer at the Washington State Health Care Association.

“People will die, people will lose their lives,” if cuts to Medicaid are made, Fotinos said.

The cuts might affect more than just those on Medicaid, said Ettore Palazzo, the CEO of EvergreenHealth, at the roundtable. Wait times could increase because of an influx of people using emergency rooms instead of primary care physicians. Insurance premiums could also increase as the commercial insurance industry tries to keep up with increased demand.

“I am incredibly fearful of what this looks like for folks that will be discouraged to try and seek care, emergency or otherwise, because they don’t have the funds or don’t have the coverage for that,” Palazzo said.

For Ali Blake, a single mother whose family is on Medicaid, the service has allowed her and her children to access preventative screenings as well as medications. If she lost Medicaid, Blake said, “we would have nothing.”

“I don’t think people always realize the incredible population that is served by Medicaid all across the country and definitely right here in Washington, and the impact it has,” DelBene said. “I think the point is it’s not isolated. It impacts our entire health care system.”

Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

A member of the Sheriff's office works around evidence as investigators work the scene on 20th Street SE near Route 9 after police shot and killed a man suspected in a car theft on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Family of Lake Stevens man shot by police sues over mental health care delays

Lawsuit says state failed to evaluate James Blancocotto before he was shot fleeing in a patrol car.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.