The U.S. House of Representatives could vote on the federal budget as soon as today, which contains large reductions to Medicaid services.
In Iowa, funding cuts would hit especially hard in the largely rural state.
Eric Kusiak, a nurse manager who oversees three inpatient units at an eastern Iowa hospital, predicted cuts in Medicaid funding would fall squarely on his entry-level staff, people he said are already having a hard time financially and need government assistance.
"They're working hard," Kusiak pointed out. "They're working full-time taking care of patients, trying to take care of their families, and not able to make ends meet."
Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, who represent Kusiak's area, have voted along party lines to approve the budget in committee and have said Congress can eliminate waste and fraud in the Medicaid system without reducing benefits.
Beyond affecting critical health care needs for patients and early career services providers, Kusiak stressed cuts to Medicaid could trickle down to the health care workforce, a field already struggling to attract employees.
"It also makes things challenging for them if they have to pick up a second job while focusing on patient care," Kusiak observed. "It's not easy when you have somebody's lives in your hands and you are working 60, 70, 80 hour weeks. I wouldn't want someone that I love under somebody's care if they are that overworked."
The most recent Iowa Nursing Trends Report found the number of nurses has grown in the state over the past decade but low wages, long hours and challenging working conditions make retaining them a challenge.