(The Center Square) – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is sounding the alarm over potential cuts to Medicaid if Congress passes the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Speaking at a recent roundtable with health care providers, the Democratic governor warned cuts will have a harmful impact on everyday Arizonans, as well as clinics and hospitals.
According to Hobbs, this will be a big concern in rural areas of Arizona.
“Cuts will make it harder for Arizonans to access the healthcare that they need, and will decimate local economies across our state,” said the governor. “Politicians in Washington are endangering the health of Arizonans, and Arizona taxpayers cannot afford to pay the price for these politicians’ bad decisions.”
Hobbs went on to say that Congress must change course; otherwise, “Arizona will suffer the consequences.”
Also speaking at the roundtable was Amy Taylor, CEO of the Mariposa Community Health Center, a facility serving Santa Cruz County. Taylor said Medicaid does not just cover one area of health care.
“It supports prenatal visits, behavioral health, cancer screenings, basic care that keeps families together and whole,” said Taylor.
Dr. Brianna Hillier added that Medicaid is more than just health insurance. It also provides dental coverage.
“It means a child does not have to wait in pain for a dental abscess to turn dangerous,” said Hillier, director of dental services for the Chiricahua Community Health Centers serving Cochise County. “Without Medicaid, many oral health preventative visits disappear and with them the chance to grow up healthy.”
Republicans in favor of the One Big Beautiful Act say they are not cutting Medicaid. U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, is one of those legislators.
“The Democrats intentionally conflate Medicaid with Medicare to scare seniors,” said Hamadeh in a May 19 post on X. “The reconciliation bill addresses Medicaid fraud; it does not touch Medicare. Our seniors are going to be protected. And every American is going to get a big tax cut.”
Hamadeh went on to say that Congress must keep the ball rolling on President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in late May. It is now awaiting approval in the U.S. Senate.
