Dismantling Medicaid is reckless, not reform

Since 1965, Medicaid has provided essential health coverage for millions of Americans, ensuring that low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, and children receive the care they need. Yet, policymakers in Washington, D.C., are now considering hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to this essential program.

Such a deeply flawed proposal must be rejected — not just because of its devastating impact on public health but because it ignores a fundamental moral truth: health care is not a privilege; it is a human right.

As we work to address challenges in the American health care system, dismantling Medicaid— one of the strongest safety nets for our nation’s most vulnerable — is not reform; it is reckless. This issue is especially urgent for those of us serving in faith-based health care. The Judeo-Christian tradition teaches that each person is created in the image of God and that human dignity must be protected.

Today, for the nearly 80 million Americans who depend on Medicaid — 2.66 million in Michigan — it’s not just a health program but a lifeline. It covers 41% of births in the United States and provides health care for nearly half of all American children.

The impact of Medicaid cuts extends beyond our patients. The state of Michigan relies on federal Medicaid funding to balance its budget and to sustain the health care infrastructure that serves us all. Alarmingly, with more than one in four Michigan residents (over 27%) relying on Medicaid coverage, the impact of cuts to our state could exceed $1 billion.

For millions of rural Americans, the local hospital often serves as the only source of health services for miles. At Trinity Health Shelby in Michigan, for example, many nearby residents rely on Medicaid for access to essential health care services. Recognizing transportation challenges, the hospital has expanded local services, ensuring access to timely, preventive care close to home, which has improved health outcomes and reduced overall health care costs. Additionally, the hospital pharmacy offers Medicaid-funded home medication delivery, supporting patients so they can maintain their health, further reducing the potential costs had they become sick and required hospitalization.

The research and literature are clear on this. Medicaid expansion has been linked to improved financial well-being for low-income families, reduced medical debt, and helps people stay financially stable. A healthier population leads to a stronger workforce and a more productive economy — proof that Medicaid is not just a safety net but a smart investment in our nation’s future. This is why 76% of Americans view this essential health coverage favorably.

For us in Catholic health care, the call to serve the poor and vulnerable is at the heart of our mission. At Trinity Health, guided by our core values of Reverence and a Commitment to Those Experiencing Poverty, we serve Michigan communities as a compassionate, transforming healing presence, making our support for every patient’s dignity a fundamental reflection of who we are. We are committed to making health care affordable and accessible to all, regardless of income.

We urge policy makers to affirm this commitment by protecting and strengthening Medicaid, not by dismantling it.

The health of our people reflects our nation’s moral priorities. If we value dignity, equity, and compassion, then we must protect Medicaid.

Commentary by Shannon Striebich, President and CEO, Trinity Health Michigan and Matt Biersack, President, Trinity Health Grand Rapids. Published online 6/3/25 in Crain's Grand Rapids Business