Washington, D.C.
Millions of Americans could lose health insurance or other benefits under spending cuts that state lawmakers are considering to trim huge budget deficits. The states face their worst financial crisis in 50 years due to soaring health care costs and dwindling tax receipts, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures in Washington, D.C. The crisis will probably deepen this month, as many states learn that their income tax revenues fell short of projections. Advocates say 1.7 million low-income patients could lose Medicare coverage altogether. California may eliminate dental and vision coverage for adults, while other states are cutting back on prescription drug programs. “We’re trying to spread the pain as broadly as we can,” said an official in Massachusetts.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Pope seeks inquiry on if Gaza assault is 'genocide'Speed Read In a book for the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis considers whether Israel's war in Gaza meets the legal definition of 'genocide'
-
Can Europe pick up the slack in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Trump's election raises questions about what's next in the war
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in RussiaSpeed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
