“Southern Arizona Healthcare Leaders Warn of Devastating Impact From Federal Funding Cuts” [Arizona Public Media]

EVERGREEN REMINDER: Ciscomani repeatedly promised he “cannot and will not” cut Medicaid because doing so would have “serious consequences” on Arizona’s health care system. Ciscomani, of course, then voted for the largest cuts to Medicaid in history.

The CEOs of Banner University Medical Center, TMC Health, and El Rio Health seemed to agree with Ciscomani’s initial assessment at an event last week hosted by the Chamber of Southern Arizona:

“A panel discussion this week painted a grim picture of the potential consequences of recent federal healthcare legislation… The speakers revealed that the One Big Beautiful Billl–which cuts approximately $1 trillion from federal healthcare programs–threatens to create a cascading economic and healthcare crisis.”

Their comments echo warnings from the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association, which warned prior to Ciscomani’s vote that the Big, Ugly Bill would force more than half of all Arizona hospitals to operate in the red.

DCCC Spokesperson Lindsay Reilly:
“Juan Ciscomani voted to decimate Arizona’s health care system because DC party bosses told him to. Now, Arizona hospitals are on the brink of closing, workers could lose their jobs, and thousands of families could lose access to health care altogether. Ciscomani has made it clear he’s loyal to his political party – not to Arizonans.”

Arizona Public Media: Southern Arizona healthcare leaders warn of devastating impact from federal funding cuts

• A year from now, there won’t be more hospitals – there will be fewer, warned southern Arizona’s top healthcare executives.
• A panel discussion this week painted a grim picture of the potential consequences of recent federal healthcare legislation. The CEOs from Banner University Medical Center, TMC Health, and El Rio Health addressed an audience of business leaders Tuesday, Oct. 28, hosted by the Chamber of Southern Arizona.
• The speakers revealed that the One Big Beautiful Bill–which cuts approximately $1 trillion from federal healthcare programs–threatens to create a cascading economic and healthcare crisis.
• For every $1 billion cut, there is an estimated loss of 36,000 jobs across multiple industries in Arizona, according to a report commissioned by the Arizona Chamber Foundation, which also predicted:
  • $1.7 billion in reduced labor income.
  • A $3.7 billion contraction in overall economic activity.
  • A $138.1 million decline in state and local tax revenues.
• Jennifer Mendrzycki is the president and CEO of TMC Health. She emphasized the strain on emergency departments, noting they’ve already seen unusual pressure. When people can’t afford preventative medical care, emergency visits increase, she said.
• Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani voted earlier this year in favor of the budget that will cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over the course of a decade.
• Before the vote, Ciscomani had signed a joint letter by the Congressional Hispanic Conference to U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sounding the alarm on the cuts to social services.
• “Slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences, particularly in rural and predominantly Hispanic communities where hospitals and nursing homes are already struggling to keep their doors open,” the Feb. 10 letter said.
• In June, Ciscomani urged Senate leaders to protect Medicaid in another letter.

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