Congressional cuts to Medicaid would burden Miami-Dade and healthcare workers | Opinion

I have been a registered nurse since 1979. I am proud to have spent 35 years at Jackson Health System in Miami, where I managed the Trauma Intensive Care Unit for many of those years.

I take great pride in our mission statement: “One single high standard of care to all residents regardless of your ability to pay.” This mission has been generously supported by the Miami-Dade community since 1919.

This is how healthcare should be delivered in this country — the richest country in the world.

Yet, we are the only industrialized nation that does not provide universal access to healthcare for all citizens. The closest we have come is through programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Currently, we have people in leadership positions who are, quite literally, taking a chainsaw to Medicaid.

The GOP-controlled House of Representatives, with President Donald Trump’s support, voted to make cuts and, in May, will begin reviewing a proposal to cut approximately $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.

The proposed cuts aim to implement stricter eligibility checks and introduce work requirements for recipients. While the administration asserts that these measures target only ineligible beneficiaries, critics warn that they could lead to millions losing coverage and place additional strain on healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas.

Sickness won’t disappear if these programs are destroyed — it will only shift the financial burden to local governments or to individuals who are already at a disadvantage and in critical need of care to survive and thrive.

If we truly want to decrease healthcare costs, we must improve access to care. Cutting access by gutting Medicaid will only worsen the health of those in need. A diabetic patient who lacks access to insulin and proper disease education will only become sicker and more expensive to treat. The wise saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is absolutely true.

The way to manage healthcare costs is to expand access to healthcare. The amazing truth about healthcare is that if you do it right, it costs less.

We cannot allow elected leaders to destroy Medicaid. We call upon our Florida lawmakers to stand up for our community and its healthcare needs. Our caregivers propose shifting our focus toward investing in health and wellness within our communities. Improving access to healthcare will lower the cost and improve patient outcomes.

We must end the conversation about reducing Medicaid funding, as this will eliminate access for millions of Americans, especially Miami-Dade.

When lawmakers — some of our very own congressional representatives — voted “Yes” to make cuts to Medicaid on March 11, they didn’t just cast a vote; they turned their backs on the thousands of healthcare workers who fight every day to save lives in their districts.

They voted against the well-being of their constituents. Against families, seniors, children and vulnerable individuals who rely on Medicaid for basic care.

Florida lawmakers should know better. They can do better. We call upon them not to play politics with your health.

Martha Baker is a registered nurse and president of SEIU Local 1991, representing over 5,000 nurses, physicians, and other healthcare workers at Jackson Health System. Baker is also president of the SEIU Florida State Council and chair of the SEIU National Nurses Alliance. Martha@seiu1991.org