ICYMI: Kelly Hears Directly from Arizonans on the Impact of Medicaid Cuts in Southern Arizona

Yesterday, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly spent the day in Tucson, Arizona hearing directly from Arizonans—including healthcare providers and patients—about the devastating impacts that Medicaid cuts proposed by Trump and Republicans would have on families, seniors, and community health centers across the state.  

AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid program, provides health care for more than two million Arizonans, including over 750,000 who gained coverage through Arizona’s Medicaid expansion and Proposition 204. AHCCCS ensures working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities can access essential medical services, including doctor visits, prescriptions, and long-term care. Cutting Medicaid would not only take away coverage but also put hospitals and community health centers at risk of closing, making it harder for all Arizonans to get the care they need.  

Kelly began the day visiting the Cherrybell Health Clinic, part of El Rio Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides affordable, comprehensive care to roughly 10 percent of Tucsonans—many of whom rely on Medicaid through AHCCCS. While there, Kelly heard about how proposed Medicaid cuts would jeopardize critical services, limit access to care, and put the health of thousands of families and seniors at risk. 

Kelly later hosted a town hall with Tucson-area families, seniors, and health care advocates to hear directly about how threats to Medicaid and AHCCCS would impact them. During the discussion, Kelly heard from families that rely on Medicaid including Crissy McGann, whose 5-year-old daughter, Amalia, relies on Medicaid to receive care for a rare genetic disorder. “I am terrified that the services that she relies on that allow her to thrive are going to be cut or even be trimmed down a little bit,” McGann said. She called the proposed cuts “disastrous for the disability community.” 

Kelly assured his constituents that he will continue fighting back in Washington against any efforts to cut Medicaid and take away health care from hard working Arizona families.