New Report On Impacts of Proposed Cuts to School-Based Medicaid Programs
March 12, 2025
Author
萝莉网was pleased to contribute by the Healthy Schools Campaign examining how proposed cuts to Medicaid as part of the budget reconciliation process underway in Congress would impact school-based Medicaid programs.
We had many superintendents weigh in with how their programs would be impacted if school-based Medicaid programs were cut or eliminated entirely. Here are the findings:
- 90% of respondents anticipate that Medicaid cuts would lead to reductions across their district鈥檚 budget, outside of school health services.
- 80% of respondents expect reductions and layoffs of school health staff and personnel
- 70% expect reductions to mental and behavioral health services
- 62% expect a reduction in resources, including assistive equipment and technology for students with disabilities
In addition, we gathered new data as to how districts are using school-based Medicaid funding:
- 86% of respondents said their district uses Medicaid funds to support salaries for school health staff and personnel such as school nurses, school psychologists, occupational and physical therapists and speech-language pathologists
- 59% use Medicaid funds for mental and behavioral health services
- 46% use Medicaid funds for assistive technology and specialized equipment for students with disabilities
This data was compiled based on 1,440 responses from district leaders, business officials and special education directors were collected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.