Opinion Piece By Felix Valbuena, Jr., MD, CEO of CHASS Center

This month, Congress is considering hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to the Medicaid program. As the CEO of Community Health and Social Services (CHASS) Center, I am deeply concerned. Any reduction to Medicaid would disrupt the fragile balance that allows our Health Center to meet the healthcare needs of Detroit residents.

CHASS serves over 11,000 patients every year. Nearly half—47%—are covered by Medicaid. That coverage accounts for a significant portion of our overall revenue and keeps our doors open. Any cut to the program would threaten our sustainability and, more importantly, the care our patients rely on.

Medicaid is funded through a long-standing partnership between Michigan and the federal government: our state contributes, and the federal government matches those funds. But proposed changes would upend that partnership. These include requiring work mandates (even though most people on Medicaid already work), reducing the federal match, shifting more of the cost burden to states, or adding red tape that limits who qualifies.

Each of these proposals leads to the same outcome: fewer people covered, lower payments to providers, or both. And that means less access to care in communities like ours. When people lose insurance, they often lose access to doctors, medications, and preventive services. At CHASS, we are committed to caring for all who walk through our doors, but our resources are not unlimited. Cuts to Medicaid would likely force us to reduce services at a time when our community needs us most.

We are proud to serve this community, and we believe everyone deserves access to quality care. However, our ability to do so depends on a stable and reliable Medicaid program. Protecting Medicaid means protecting local healthcare—and protecting the health and dignity of our neighbors.

Opinion Piece By Felix Valbuena, Jr., MD, CEO of CHASS Center

Media Contact: raceves@chasscenter.org