March of Dimes Statement on the House Budget Resolution and Proposed Medicaid Cuts

ARLINGTON, Va. , Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution instructing the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut approximately $880 billion over the next decade, with the majority of these reductions expected to come from Medicaid. These drastic cuts would severely weaken a program that provides essential healthcare to nearly 80 million people, including pregnant women, babies, and children. If enacted, these changes could lead to reduced Medicaid eligibility, fewer covered services, and new barriers to care, leaving millions without access to critical prenatal, postpartum, and infant health services. At a time when the US already faces an alarming maternal and infant health crisis, these cuts would put even more lives at risk.

Cindy Rahman, President and CEO of March of Dimes, issued the following statement:

March of Dimes strongly opposes the House Budget Resolution, which threatens to cut Medicaid funding and puts the health of millions of moms and babies at risk. At a time when the United States is already one of the most dangerous high-income nations for childbirth, these irresponsible cuts would worsen health outcomes, increase preterm births, and lead to more preventable maternal deaths.

Medicaid plays a vital role in ensuring that nearly 1.5 million women and babies in the United States receive the care they need for healthy pregnancies and strong starts in life. Covering 41% of all births nationwide, Medicaid provides access to essential prenatal and postpartum care, helping to prevent complications and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Reducing Medicaid funding would have devastating consequences, disrupting critical health services, creating new barriers to care, and endangering the lives of moms and babies across the country. This is not just a policy debate; it's a matter of life and health for the more than 79 million families who rely on Medicaid. Ensuring access to comprehensive, continuous healthcare for moms and babies must be a national priority.

Every mom deserves quality maternity care, and every baby deserves a healthy start. We call on all Members of Congress and state policymakers to protect and strengthen Medicaid, safeguarding access to critical care for families. Now is the time to act—contact your elected officials and urge them to oppose these dangerous Medicaid cuts.  Your voice can make a difference. Raise it today to help ensure that moms and babies receive the care they need and deserve.

Join us: March for Change on March 5-6, 2025—Take Action for Moms and Babies

The fight for moms and babies cannot wait. On March 5-6, March of Dimes will March for Change, mobilizing advocates nationwide to urge lawmakers to oppose Medicaid cuts and demand better care for moms and babies. Volunteers and staff across the country, including the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will raise their voices to influence legislative and regulatory action, ensuring the needs of moms and infants remain a national priority. These irresponsible cuts put millions at risk—now is the time to act.

Join us. Speak out. Protect Medicaid.

SOURCE March of Dimes Inc.