If you have been watching what is happening in Washington, you may have seen some good news: The House has pulled back from two of the most extreme Medicaid cut proposals. The idea of slashing funding for expansion states and putting strict per-person caps on Medicaid spending? Off the table for now.

But before we all exhale too deeply, let’s be honest: the conversation is still moving in a direction that puts pressure on hospitals, patients, and the communities we care for.

There is still a massive budget gap to close; Congress is trying to find $880 billion in healthcare savings. And Medicaid is still the place they will most likely look for it. That means the spotlight is still on us.

Work requirements, for example, are very much still being considered. If passed, they could lead to people losing coverage, not because they are unwilling to work, but because they missed a deadline or did not have stable access to the right support. When people lose coverage, they often show up sicker, in crisis, and in your emergency rooms.

For hospital leaders, this puts you in a tough spot. You are already doing more with less, navigating staffing shortages, financial pressures, and rising demand. We are trying to serve communities that depend on us, many of which are made up of patients for whom Medicaid is not just an option… it’s the only option.

This is a moment to pause and remember why we do this work. It’s an opportunity to reach beyond the walls of our hospitals and stand beside the people who need us most, making sure they don’t fall through the cracks, and that they stay connected to the care and support that keeps them well.