Washington Governor Ferguson Warns Medicaid Cuts Threaten 200,000 Coverage

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has strongly opposed proposed Medicaid cuts included in President Trump's federal budget bill, warning that up to 200,000 Washington residents could lose Medicaid coverage in the first year if the cuts are enacted. The House and Senate budget proposals would reduce Medicaid funding by $2 billion to $3 billion over four years, which Ferguson described as a profound setback for the state's healthcare system. He highlighted that Medicaid is especially critical for children, with more than half of kids in many Washington counties relying on it for healthcare. Community members and healthcare providers shared heartfelt concerns about the human impact, emphasizing that Medicaid serves as a lifeline for patients with complex medical needs and that cuts could lead to loss of life. Local healthcare facilities also warned that funding reductions would negatively affect staffing and patient care. Ferguson stressed the state's limited ability to compensate for federal funding losses, underscoring the severity of the situation as the Senate works to finalize the budget.