As Senate debates healthcare, Chesapeake schools chief warns about impact of Medicaid cuts

July 26--Chesapeake's James Roberts and other school superintendents around Virginia have a warning for the senators currently working on health care reform: Cutting funds for Medicaid could hurt children with disabilities or living in poverty.

"A school's primary responsibility is to provide students with a high-quality education, but children cannot learn to their fullest potential with unmet health needs," Roberts wrote recently in a letter to U.S. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Democrats who represent Virginia and have spoken out against Republican-led reform efforts.

The House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act in May. The Senate voted to begin debate Tuesday, though every Democrat was opposed.

The debate includes different ideas, but a potential Medicaid cut is causing concern. School divisions in Virginia receive more than $29.3 million in Medicaid reimbursements each year, Roberts wrote in his letter. Chesapeake receives between $650,000 and $700,000.

Opponents of the existing Affordable Care Act argue replacing it would eliminate burdensome mandates and taxes and decrease premiums.

President Donald Trump said in a speech Monday at the White House that the goal is to "stabilize collapsing health-insurance markets" and provide more choice and flexibility.

But a significant reduction in Medicaid reimbursements could prevent certain positions from being filled, Roberts wrote. Specialized school personnel provide critical health services to make sure all children are ready to learn, he added.

"If you're cutting the amount, flexibility is not going to make up the difference," he said in an interview last month.

Roberts argues that providing services for students in poverty or with disabilities is a good investment because it enables more of them to become employed and attend college.

Ben Kiser, executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, said in a recent interview that many special-needs children require equipment that is funded through Medicaid reimbursements and a sharp cut would hurt.

"The Medicaid reimbursements are critical," he said. "Don't tamper with it."

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