Olmsted County letter to federal legislators voices concern about potential Medicaid cuts

For several months, Olmsted County has been monitoring potential budget decisions at the federal level. Olmsted County has been working with county colleagues across the state as well as our state legislators to examine potential impacts. 

Additionally, at the Olmsted County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 17, 2025, residents came forward during the public comment portion of the meeting to discuss concerns about potential cuts to Medicaid. 

In response, the Olmsted County board has sent a letter to federal legislators outlining the potential negative impacts of budget reconciliation on Olmsted County.

The budget reconciliation package passed the House of Representatives in late May 2025 and is currently under Senate consideration. Included in the bill are significant cuts to social programs, like Medicaid (a government program that helps people pay for health care). Medicaid cuts will impact various populations, including individuals with lower incomes, children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities. 

In the letter from the Olmsted County board, the commissioners:

• Urged legislators to reconsider Medicaid reductions in the budget reconciliation bill. As noted in the letter, in Minnesota, counties are responsible for providing Medicaid services. The board indicated the proposed reductions would have devastating results in Olmsted County. 
• Explained that medical assistance is a vital component of government. For children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, the poor, and adults with disabling conditions, Medicare and Medicaid are their lifeline. 
• Noted that Medicaid is crucial to the health of Olmsted County’s children. In 2024, 16,000 children were able to access health care because of Medicaid. 
• Shared that Olmsted County served more than 1,821 new Medicaid families in 2024. 
• Indicated how passage of this bill would result in significant administrative and workforce challenges on counties, including: 
  • More frequent eligibility and work requirement verification. Olmsted County does not have the workforce to manage these increases. 
  • More complex eligibility requirements. New requirements will disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, leading to eligible individuals losing and/or not accessing coverage. Complex application processes, increased documentation requirements, and more frequent reporting obligations will increase the workload for counties.

As stated in the closing paragraph of the letter: 

“Cutting the Medicaid budget will not alleviate the county’s responsibility to provide essential human services to its most vulnerable residents, and funding reductions cannot be absorbed into the county’s budget. Our only recourse may include increases in property taxes, which would further jeopardize those least able to afford them. We respectfully request that you reconsider the proposed Medicaid cuts in the reconciliation bill.”

If you would like to voice your concerns with this bill, you are encouraged to contact your respective legislators.