At the Rx Foundation, we believe that health is a human right—and that a just society is one that protects the well-being of all its people, especially those who are most at risk. The proposed Medicaid cuts pose a serious threat to that vision.
We are proud to share the following statement from Dr. Don Berwick, a physician, national health policy leader, and trustee of the Rx Foundation. Dr. Berwick served as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is a longtime advocate for high-quality, equitable care for all. His words remind us what’s at stake—and what kind of future we must fight for together.
As a physician and lifelong advocate for health care as a human right, I am deeply alarmed by the devastating Medicaid cuts now set to take effect. These reductions are more than fiscal decisions—they are choices that will worsen access, deepen suffering, and destabilize health for tens of millions of Americans.
Medicaid is not a line item—it is a lifeline. It supports children, older adults, working families, people with disabilities, and caregivers in every community. These cuts do not target waste; they target care. They will make it harder for people to see a doctor, afford their medications, or tend to loved ones in crisis. And while they will harm those with the fewest resources first, they will not stop there.
These cuts are not just a blow to “the poor”—it is a blow to the middle class, to working-class families, to rural communities, to anyone who has ever struggled to afford care or find a provider. It is, in truth, a transfer of public resources upward—from the majority of Americans to the wealthiest few—leaving most of us paying more and getting less.
People are right to be angry. Right to feel left behind in a system where care costs too much and is too hard to access. But the answer is not to take from those who have even less. The answer is to fix what’s broken—together. As Hubert Humphrey once said, “The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the twilight of life, and the shadows of life.” That test is before us now, and it’s a test we must pass together.
Health justice is not a fringe value—it is the foundation of a fair and functional society. We know from decades of data that equitable access to care saves lives, improves communities, and lowers costs for all.
I am proud to serve as a trustee of the Rx Foundation, where we believe in a future where every person—not just the wealthy—has the chance to thrive. These Medicaid cuts betray that vision. This moment demands action from policymakers and from all of us who believe that a just society protects its most vulnerable—and honors the dignity of every life.
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We share this message as part of our Influencers for Good strategy—an invitation to lift up bold, values-driven leadership in pursuit of health justice. If this resonates with your community or your work, we invite you to share Don’s words and to raise your voice alongside ours.
Health is a collective responsibility—and protecting it must be our shared mission.
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