Hundreds of Thousands of Arizonans to Lose Health Care Coverage Because of Republican Tax Law

PHOENIX — Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who rely on Medicaid and the ACA Marketplace will lose their coverage because of the Republican Tax Law that Congressmen David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani voted for.

In addition to taking away coverage for millions of Americans and increasing the cost of health care and food, the law throws lavish tax breaks  at the wealthiest Americans and corporations. 

The health care cuts, though, will hurt low-income and especially rural Arizonans who don't otherwise have access to care.

According to the AZ Mirror:

“More than two million Arizonans are on Medicaid and receive health care coverage through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, the state’s Medicaid program that is better known as AHCCCS. Thanks to Trump’s budget, which was backed by all of Arizona’s GOP congressmen — Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, Abe Hamadeh and David Schweikert — an estimated 300,000 people will lose their health insurance.

Rural Arizonans are far more likely to rely on Medicaid for health care — about 38%, compared to 17% in urban areas. That means that rural hospitals, which already operate with smaller profit margins, rely more heavily on Medicaid funding. 

The provider tax cap would cost Arizona around $75 million to backfill the difference in the first year, and Humble told the Mirror he can’t imagine the state allowing such a devastating impact on rural communities for such a relatively small price. 

If Arizona’s legislature refuses to make up the difference, rural hospitals in ruby red areas of the state could close down, and residents are unlikely to be pleased about that.”

“Congressmen Schweikert and Ciscomani said they would work on behalf of Arizonans, but the Republican Tax Law they voted for cuts our health care to pay for tax breaks for billionaires,” said Andrea Moreno, Executive Director of Honest Arizona. “Schweikert and Ciscomani broke their promise and cut Arizonans’ health care just to give tax breaks to the wealthiest and corporations.”

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