At the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First, we stand with the moms, babies, and families who rely on Medicaid—not just for access to care, but for opportunities to improve health outcomes and thrive. That’s why we are deeply concerned by the $700 billion in proposed Medicaid cuts in the House budget reconciliation bill.
While the specific provisions in the bill may not directly target pregnant women and children, the overall reduction in federal Medicaid funding is staggering and will impact care. A cut of this magnitude represents a massive cost-shift to states. And when states are forced to fill a $700 billion gap, health care and other essential service—even for populations like pregnant women and children—will inevitably suffer.
We agree that Medicaid must be protected for its intended populations, and we recognize that there are difficult fiscal decisions to make, but we cannot afford to take a shortsighted approach. Prevention-focused programs like Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First are not just compassionate investments, they are cost-effective strategies that produce lasting benefits for families and communities. But even with strong bipartisan support, these programs can be vulnerable in tight budget environments. They’re often dismissed as “nice to have,” when in fact, they’re essential to building healthier futures.
Increasingly, both red and blue states have recognized this and are turning to Medicaid to help sustainably fund home visiting programs. This growing momentum toward Medicaid-financed prevention is a positive trend. It means more families get the support they need early, when it can have the greatest impact and is more cost-effective. Unfortunately, that progress is now at risk.
A $700 billion cut undermines states’ ability to invest in innovative, evidence-based solutions like ours, and it threatens the gains made in maternal and child health.
This is why the National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First urges Congress to reject these cuts. Protecting Medicaid funding is not just about preserving a safety net—it’s about supporting the systems that help children, families and communities grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
With sincere gratitude,
Charlotte Min-Harris
President and CEO, National Service Office of Nurse-Family Partnership & Child First