Nearly 1.9 million people in Arizona already rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage, and Senator Ruben Gallego is issuing urgent warnings about possible federal Medicaid cuts as the state hits unprecedented enrollment figures.
In a recent social media post highlighting what he called "Medicaid Monday," Gallego warned constituents: "It's Medicaid Monday, don't let Trump distract you from what he is trying to do. Cut millions from Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the rich."
Gallego's warning comes as startling new enrollment data reveals that, as of January 2025, Arizona's Medicaid and CHIP programs served 1,872,834 people, a staggering 55.84% growth since the first Marketplace Open Enrollment Period started in October 2013.
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Gallego and Senator Mark Kelly warned at recent town halls that Republican cuts to Medicaid in Arizona may deprive 600,000 residents, including 190,000 children, of access to healthcare. About one-third of existing participants would lose their coverage as a result.
Gallego has been especially outspoken about the link between healthcare cuts and proposed tax overhaul, saying, "Republicans decided to give Elon Musk and his billionaire friends massive tax cuts." This suggests that rural health care would be severely impacted and senior Arizonans will be forced out of nursing homes.
The senator is particularly concerned about the $880 billion in Medicaid cuts that are being considered in federal budget talks in order to help pay for tax cuts.
One of the biggest increases in healthcare coverage in Arizona's history is represented by the enrollment boom. According to state data, Arizona has consistently maintained high quality metrics, reporting to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 29 out of 30 adult quality measures and 26 out of 26 regularly reported child healthcare quality indicators in 2023.
However, federal guidelines from 2013 to improve enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP states that Arizona has not used certain enrollment tactics that could have further increased participation.
Republicans in Congress are issuing the warnings as they draft comprehensive tax legislation that incorporates Medicaid benefits. The cornerstone of President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that involves major changes to healthcare programs has been revealed by House Republicans as a cost-cutting measure.
One of the main grounds of debate is the possibility of Medicaid cuts and how they would affect the access to healthcare for millions of Americans with lower incomes, the elderly, and those with disabilities, despite some claims of internal Republican disagreements on the subject.
The first joint town hall sponsored by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego of Arizona focused on possible Medicaid cuts, demonstrating the bipartisan concern among Arizona's Senate delegation regarding preserving residents' access to healthcare.
The stakes of federal policy decisions have never been higher for Arizona, where almost one in four citizens now depend on Medicaid or CHIP coverage. The relationship between federal tax policy and healthcare access is a defining political issue that has immediate real-world ramifications for millions of families throughout the state, as Gallego underlined in his direct plea to voters.
