thereto San Lewis ValleyThe clouds in the south of Colorado occur in the impressive mountains of the blood of Christ. Gurgia’s chorus fluttering between the reeds of wildlife. The large fields grown in the form of a circle are scattered in their own bushes and feel threatened.
However, in the midst of the strict beauty of one of the agricultural areas Country’s productivityCongress had anxiety among community leaders, and the Congress discussed the draft budget laws that could be fundamentally reformed. MedicaidThe government health program was managed by the state for low -income people.
“I try to be worried and optimistic,” Konnie Martin said. San Lewis Valley Health Health Service Center for 50,000 people in 6 rural counties in Alamosa, Colorado.
Martin said Medicaid is essential for rural medical care.
Martin said, “In Colorado, almost 70%of rural hospitals are operated as negative margins.
According to Shane Mortensen, the financial director of San Luis Valley Health, the annual health system is $ 140 million and Medicaid accounts for nearly a third of its value.
The operation margin is very narrow, so federal cuts for Medicaid can be drastically cut by the Health Center. Mortensen said, “It will be fatal to us.
that region It is one of the poorest people in the Lord. At Allamana County 2 out of 5 They are registered Health first ColoradoMedicaid’s main program.
Especially for people who can’t easily access medical services. This includes low -income people who need a complementary range of applications and people of all ages with disabilities.
If you imagine the future with a strong cut of Medicaid, many patients will be uncertain.
Julianna Mascarenas, with six children, said, “I have confirmed our insurance, God, and only half of my salaries, he added that Medicaid has helped her to cover her family for several years, and Mascarenas worked as a counselor and addicted people who were addicted. Her former man works in a farm -current potatoes for employers who do not provide medical insurance.
Medicaid is a cover throughout the state. 1 out of 5Further 1 million people.
This includes children of temporary homes.
Chance Padilla, a temporary caregiver, mentioned the San Luis Valley Health Hospital in Alamosa, said, “We have 13 children entering our house and leaving home.
“Medicaid was the basis for them to give them a normal life that deserves them,” he said. “These children need a lot of medical intervention.”
Chance’s husband, Chris Padilla, added: “At a given time we had three treatments a week. We would not have done it without a doctor.”
Employees and administrators of the San Luis Valley Health are wondering if the federal cuts will make it difficult for the system to operate the oncology center.
“This can be greatly affected,” said Carmelo Hernández, the medical officer of San Luis Valley Health.
Alamosa Hospital has its own birth level and other US rural hospitals. Difficulty. Hernández said about 85%of hospital patients are guaranteed by Medicaid.
“Where is Iran if there is no obstetrics and gynecology service?” Hernández was curious about a gynecologist. “They will travel for an hour and 20 minutes north of the exit. You can travel to the village for two hours by car via the mountains.”
The 34 -year -old Tiffany Martínez recently had to consider the possibility after having a fourth child.
His pregnancy was highly risk and had to test ultrasound twice a week at the hospital. It is registered in Medicaid. Martínez said, “Everything below has been paid,” Martínez said. “There is no money to pay the doctor. We don’t have money to travel. So it’s definitely beneficial.”
Health care and job provision
The health system with 750 workers is as follows. The largest valley employer. Clint Sowards, a primary care doctor, said it would be difficult to attract next -generation doctors, nurses and other health professionals due to a decrease in Medicaid.
SOWARDS warned that certain medical specialists could stop the possibility of use. “People will have to leave. They must leave the San Luis Valley.”
Kristina Steinberg is a home Valley full health systemA small clinic network that provides services to thousands of people in this area. He explained that Medicaid deals with most of the home of home adults in this region.
Steinberg said, “If the elderly cannot access Medicaid for long -term treatment, we will lose some hometowns.” They will integrate. “
Audrey Reich Loy, San Luis Valley Health’s social business and program director, said, “The system uses Medicaid as a kind of spine of our infrastructure.”
(HART VAN DENBURG/CPR News)
“They not only support people who receive Medicaid,” he said. “But as a result of contributing to our community, we can guarantee a service network that can be expanded and provided to the entire community.”
We are looking for more efficiency
Republican members of the Congress, which encouraged law and tax laws, argues that if the Medicade is greatly reduced, it wants to save money and increase government efficiency.
Many people in Alama Nas County They voted for Donald Trump. Hernández said, “It has a great influence on the election base.
He added that Medicaid Cut could reconsider the position of President Trump’s supporters. But politics pointed out that it is a delicate problem that does not deal with patients.
SOARDS said some people know that the Medicaid system is in crisis and expensive. But he expressed serious doubts about the proposed solution.
SOWARDS said, “Losing Medicaid would have had an unpredictable bold effect.
The cut produces a domino effect
The regional economic impact of San Luis Valley Health exceeds $ 100 million annually, and Medicaid takes up an important part of the figure, Martin said.
Reductions in Medicaid are not only affected by the health system, but also do not affect small businesses and employees. This area has economic results. Stress derived from other changes, such as the recent cuts of the Trump administration in the federal labor force.
San Luis Valley is on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuse, Great Sand Dunes National Park and other lands managed by the federal government.
Joe Martínez, president of the San Luis Valley, said that federal employees are already going to the bank. Or: “I lost work. What can I do to avoid losing my car?”
April, TY COLEMAN, Alamosa MarketHe traveled to Washington DC to talk to Colorado’s delegation. He said his message about Medicide cuts was direct. COLEMAN has developed a long list of possible problems: more chronic diseases and higher mortality; A longer waiting time to get attention; Medical debt and financial pressure for families.
“It is about our rural community as well as Colorado and other rural communities in the United States.” And I do not think people understand it. “
This article is part of the liver alliance. CPR news,,, NPR Y KFF Health News.
