By skyforbes 
President Trump’s recent budget proposal would make cuts to Medicaid, leaving many local women’s health care providers worried about their poorest clients.
President Trump released a proposed budget in February that outlined cuts in domestic programs, an increase in military spending — and cuts to Medicaid, the federal insurance program for those who classify as lower income.
Patsy Montgomery, associate vice president of legislative campaigns at Planned Parenthood, said cuts in Medicaid could result in loss of healthcare and reproductive services for many women.
“A large percent, about two-thirds of our patients, make a living that is lower than the federal poverty level,” Montgomery said. “Many of our recipients are making a living off of $950 a month and are trying to raise a family.”
Women who fall below the poverty line, are of color, and who live in rural areas could potentially be blocked from receiving certain healthcare services, primarily reproductive and preventative services.
“It’s obvious our president’s priorities are not with the average working person,” said Montgomery.
Despite common misconception, Planned Parenthood is not funded by the government. “We are not given money by the federal government. We are reimbursed for our services similar to other clinics,” said Montgomery.
About 37 percent of Planned Parenthood’s revenue is made up of government reimbursements and grants.
“Reimbursement from the government helps with annual examinations, birth control, and wellness checks for both women and men. These are services the majority of our clients come for,” said Montgomery.
Planned Parenthood facilities would not be immediately affected by the proposed federal budget. “We have no intention of closing facilities no matter what,” said Montgomery.
Clients receiving Medicaid would be the first group to suffer the consequences of the proposed budget.
Even women who are not clients of Planned Parenthood could undergo changes in coverage. Women who are helped by the nonprofit, City of Refuge in Sacramento could also face changes in their healthcare plans.
City of Refuge provides emergency housing for exploited women and children. Odette Zapata, a volunteer at City of Refuge, said many of the women housed by the nonprofit organization receive some sort of Medicaid, “All of the women in our program have low income backgrounds.”
The women at City of Refuge often receive services from Dignity Health. Cuts to Medicaid could hurt their ability to obtain health care.
“It would make their lives way more difficult especially because they can’t afford health care. Some of our girls have mental health issues so being able to get the right medication they need to function normally is huge,” said Zapata.
The services provided by The Sacramento Life Center might also change as a result of the potential cuts to Medicaid.
The organization, which helps families struggling with an unplanned pregnancy, prides itself on being able to refer and grant women eligibility for medicaid. “We get them on their presumptive eligibility so that they’re covered for the first two months of Medicaid,” said Executive Director Marie Leatherby. “If they want to go to a doctor or seek other services it’s covered, and in those two months we have someone who can help them apply for permanent medical coverage.”
Although the facility does not specialize in preventative health care they provide services like ultrasounds, pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease tests that can be used to refer women to other providers.
“Right away when they come, in fifteen minutes we can make sure they have insurance coverage,” said Leatherby.
Leatherby said cuts to Medicaid by the federal budget could make it more difficult for The Sacramento Life Center to insure women and refer them to other healthcare providers.