Medicaid discounts will affect very strong in this rural community in Colorado

In that San Luis ValleyTo southern Colorado, clouds rise on the mountains of the blood of Christ. The choir of Georgia while fluttering between the cane. Large fields planted in the form of a circle, interspersed with the original shrubs, give a feeling of calm.

But in the midst of the strong beauty of an agricultural area The state’s most productiveThere was a feeling of anxiety among the leaders of society while Congress discussed a budget bill that could radically reform Medical aidThe governmental health program that is run by countries for low -income persons.

Kony Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health In Alamosa, Colorado, the Health Services Center for 50,000 people in six rural provinces.

Martin said that you are vital for rural medical care.

Martin said: “I think in Colorado, at this time, approximately 70 % of rural hospitals working with a negative margin,” Martin said.

The annual health system is 140 million dollars, and Medicaid revenue is approximately a third of this number, according to Shane Mortenon, the San Lewis Health Director.

The operational margin is very narrow, so federal discounts on medicaid can force the health center to implement radical discounts. “It will be destroyed for us,” said Mortensen.

the region It is one of the poorest state. In the province of Alamana, 2 out of 5 residents They are registered in First health ColoradoThe State Program from Medicaid.

He is the rescue guard, especially for those who will not be able to access medical care easily. This includes low -income elderly people who need complementary coverage as well as medical care, and people of all ages who live with disability.

Imagine in the future with strong discounts to medicaid that leaves many patients in uncertainty.

“I have reviewed our insurance, my God! Only half of my salary will pay me to pay me,” said Juliana Mascarinas, who has six children. He added that Medicaid helped her cover her family for years. Mascarinas works as a consultant and treats people with addiction. Her ex -husband is working on farms – the current potatoes and a cattle – for employers who do not provide medical insurance.

Throughout the state, it covers Medicaid 1 in 5 residentsMore than Million people.

This includes children in temporary homes.

“We had 13 children entering and leaving our home, and six of them were born here in this hospital with medicines in their body,” said Chinese Padilla, a temporary care provider, referring to Saint Louis Louis Wadi Hospital in Alamosa.

“It has been a basic thing to be able to give them the normal life they deserve,” he said. “These children need a lot of medical intervention.”

“At a certain time, we had before he needed medical attention three times a week. We could not do this without a doctor,” added Chris Badilla, Chinese husband.

San Luis Valley Health employees and officials wonder whether the federal cuts will make it difficult for the system to maintain its oncology.

“It can be greatly affected,” said Carmelo Hernandez, medical director of the San Luis Valle Health Foundation.

Alamosa Hospital has its own birth unit, which is a type of service Difficulties in openness. Hernandez said about 85 % of the hospital’s birth patients are covered with Medicaid.

“If we do not have obstetric services here, where is Iran?” Hernandez, a gynecologist for childbirth, asked. “They will travel for an hour and 20 minutes to the north, when going out, to come. They can travel to the city, two other hours by car via a mountainous step.”

Tiffany Martinez, 34, was forced to consider this possibility after the birth of her fourth child.

He was very risky and had to conduct ultrasound and effort twice a week in the hospital. It is registered in Medicaid. Martinez said, “Under everything is bad wage,” said Martinez. “We don’t just have money to pay a doctor. We have no travel money.

Providing health care and jobs

With 750 workers, the health system is The largest valley employer. The primary care doctor said that reducing medical aid boxes will make it difficult to attract the next generation of doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

Swords warned that some medical specialties may stop their availability. “People will have to leave. They will have to leave the Saint Louis Valley.”

Christina Steinberg PhD in the family Health systems at the valley levelA network of small clinics that serve thousands of people in the area. He explained that Medicaid covers most of the domestic families in the area.

Steinberg said: “If the elderly lose from reaching a long -term care, we will lose some household homes,” Steinberg said. “They will merge.”

“As a kind of spine of our infrastructure,” said Audrey Reish Louie, a certificate of social work and programs at San Luis Valley Health.

“They don’t only support those who receive medical aid,” he said. “However, as a result of what contributes to our society, it allows us to guarantee a network of services that we can expand and provide to the entire society.”

Looking for more efficiency

Republicans in the Congress that promoted the law of law and taxes, which will lead, according to estimates, claim major discounts to Medicaid, that they want to save money and increase government competence.

Many in the area of Alamanas Province They voted for Donald Trump. “It is possible that it will greatly affect its electoral base,” said Hernandez.

He added that Medicaid discounts can reconsider the position of President Trump’s supporters, but he pointed out that politics is a sensitive issue that does not deal with patients in general.

Swords said he realizes that some people believe that medicaid system is in a crisis and expensive. However, serious doubts have been expressed about the proposed solution.

“The loss of Medicid will lead to radical repercussions that we cannot predict,” Sourws said.

Domino effects will generate

Martin said the regional economic impact of San Louis Valley’s health exceeds $ 100 million annually, and Medicaid represents an important part of this number.

Any reduction to medicaid barely will affect the health system, but also small companies and their employees. The region feels economic consequences. Stress derived from other changes, such as the recent discounts carried out by the Trump administration in the federal workforce.

San Luis Valley includes Monte Vista National Wildlife Ligure and The Great Sand Dunes National Park and other lands run by the federal government.

Joe Martinez, head of the Federal Bank of Saint Louis Valley, said that the recently rejected federal employees are already going to banks asking: “Can there be a way to mortgage payments in the next two months? Or can we extend them?” Or: “I lost my work. What can we do to make sure my car is not lost?”

In April, Tai Coleman, Omosa mayorHe traveled to Washington, DC, to speak with the Colorado conference delegation. He said that his message about Medicaid discounts was directly: “It could have a devastating economic impact.” Coleman has developed a long list of possible problems: more chronic diseases and high death rates; Tal taller times to receive attention; Medical debts and financial pressure for families.

“It is not only about our rural society, but also other rural societies in Colorado and the United States,” said Coleman. “I don’t think people understand that.”

This article is part of an alliance between CPR newsand NPR Y Kff Health News.