WA hospitals anticipate losing billions in revenue from Medicaid cuts

New work requirements take effect Jan. 1. Healthcare leaders say this will affect all patients, not just those on Medicaid

SEATTLE — Washington’s hospitals anticipate losing nearly $6 billion in revenue through 2033 due to steep Medicaid cuts in the coming months. That’s according to a new report from the state hospital and community health associations. It comes as Democrats play up high healthcare costs and coverage losses in the runup to next month’s midterm elections. Voting has already begun. Democratic U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and local healthcare leaders discussed the expected woes for hospitals in a Tuesday news conference at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. They emphasized that the hefty drop in federal funding for the insurance program serving low-income Americans from the tax break and spending cut bill congressional Republicans approved last year will affect all patients, as wait times in emergency rooms rise and premiums for those still insured increase to account for the lost revenue. Staff could be cut and clinics face closure.