Louisiana doctor pleads Sen. Cassidy and Kennedy to not cut Medicaid

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The United States Senate is set to vote on cutting millions from Medicaid.

The proposed Republican budget reconciliation bill would automatically cut $45 billion in 2026 and rise to $75 billion by 2034 according to the Associated Press. Some lawmakers said it is to reduce government spending and offset President Donald Trump’s tax breaks.

A Louisiana doctor is speaking out about how it would affect patients across the state.

“I’m a very proud Louisianian. I was born and raised here. I plead to Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy to really think about how we can better make Louisiana stronger, healthier. By cutting Medicaid I think we’re cutting our nose to spite our face. We’re saving to only to have to spend more in the future,” said Dr. Betty Lo, MD, Pediatric Internal Medicine.

Dr. Lo has practiced pediatric medicine in Metairie and New Orleans for the past 28 years. She joined fellow doctors from across the country for a virtual discussion hosted by the Committee to Protect Health Care. She said they all took the Hippocratic Oath.

“Because, as a physician, I can’t do my job. I can’t protect these patients who can’t protect themselves. Providing basic human needs for these patients. Which includes vaccines, access to vision and dental, and basic exams that help us detect disease early that are potentially very treatable,” Dr. Lo said.

Dr. Lo said the proposed deep cuts to Medicaid would impact the state’s entire health care system’s ability to function.

“Just trying to imagine all these patients, which in our state totals 1.6 million Medicaid recipients, trying to flood the health care system with no insurance. The entire financial strain implications of that is enormous. Really unthinkable. Untenable and truly unethical. It’s immoral to be treating these patients as though they are secondary class citizens,” Dr. Lo said.

She said Louisiana greatly relies on Medicaid from a financial standpoint and in her opinion, a moral standpoint.

“My hope is that the government rethinks this Medicaid bill and really prioritizes the health and welfare of the people. It’s not about the money and it should never be about the money. It’s about the people and their lives. The human being and the quality of life we’re trying to preserve,” Dr. Lo said.

The Committee to Protect Health Care said if you are in fear of losing access to Medicaid to
reach out to the offices of Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy.