Protect and Strengthen Medicaid

When we serve the sick, the poor, and the marginalized, we serve Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40). That belief has guided Catholic health care and social services for more than a century — and it remains vital today. In carrying out what Christ instructed in the Gospel, the Catholic Church has delivered health care and social services to those in need, regardless of their faith. 

Catholic hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and social service programs have provided care to millions of low-income individuals each year. We offermedical services that encompass the entire spectrum of healthcare needs. Each year, Catholic health care facilities deliver nearly half a million babies, treat nearly 100 million visits in outpatient clinics, and provide nearly $3 billion in free or reduced care. 

This work is a tangible expression of our efforts to make the Gospel call real. However, it is not work that we can do alone. Programs like Medicaid and SNAP embody our society's collective commitment to the common good, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable. From low-income families and working individuals to older Americans and people with disabilities, Medicaid is not just a program—it is a lifeline. 

The Catholic Church’s advocacy efforts stem from the teaching that human life is sacred and that all people have inherent dignity and worth. Our faith compels us to recognize the dignity and worth of every human life, and health care is a fundamental human right essential to human flourishing. It is not a privilege for the few—it is a right for all, or as Pope Francis affirmed, “Health is not a luxury; it is for all.”

Weakening Medicaid would undermine these values and risk leaving millions without access to essential health coverage. As Catholics, we believe in the value of work and its contribution to providing a person dignity. However, Medicaid work reporting requirements have clearly shown to create artificial barriers to care, generating paperwork and bureaucracy while doing little to support people looking for work. These requirements also fail to recognize that most people on Medicaid already work and ignore the realities of low-wage work, caregiving responsibilities, and health limitations.

Protecting Medicaid is about more than just policy; it is about affirming the sanctity of life. Ensuring that expecting mothers receive comprehensive, life-affirming care is fundamental to our commitment to health and human dignity. Medicaid symbolizes the values of compassion, solidarity, and the moral obligation to prioritize those most in need.

As Pope Francis reminded us, "A society truly welcomes life when it recognizes that it is also precious in old age, in disability, in serious illness, and even when it is fading." Congress must honor this principle by safeguarding Medicaid and strengthening our nation's commitment to health care access for all.