In Abingdon, Virginia’s 4th District Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan visited the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center (AHCDC) to speak with staff and patients, gaining insights into the vital role of Medicaid in the community and the potential impact of proposed cuts.
Currently, over 80% of AHCDC’s patients rely on Medicaid, yet the facility still has 2,800 people on its waiting list for dental services. McClellan explained that this isn’t just a matter of oral health; it directly impacts overall health.
She noted that the cuts passed by Congress earlier this year could have a severe impact on medical and dental services in the region. “We must clearly communicate to the American people what these cuts mean and the real impact they will have on our community,” McClellan said.
Health Wagon CEO Teresa Tyson also warned that if the cuts go through, many patients who lose their Medicaid coverage will be forced to turn to free clinics, further straining already stretched resources. McClellan emphasized that the purpose of her trip was to listen to patients’ stories and bring these real voices back to Washington. As a co-sponsor of the bill to reverse the cuts, she pledged to continue explaining to her congressional colleagues the devastating impact these cuts have on grassroots communities.
She added that Congress will reconvene on September 2nd, and a new federal budget must be passed by October 1st. “We only have a few weeks to reach an agreement.
Failure to pass a budget or temporary appropriations resolution would put the government at risk of a shutdown. We are working to ensure that no matter what the budget outcome, there will be no further cuts to critical services beyond what has already occurred.”