IEHP statement on the signing of federal budget reconciliation bill

A statement from Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) CEO Jarrod McNaughton:

“IEHP’s mission to heal and inspire the human spirit is more important now than ever. The signing of federal budget reconciliation bill HR1 into law will have a devastating effect on the health and well-being of millions of Californians, including the 1.5 million members we serve in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

The consequences of the bill’s nearly $1 trillion in health care cuts will be seen and felt throughout the state and region’s health care infrastructure and economy. As emergency rooms see more patients who once had access to primary care, wait times for everyone will increase. And because of the loss of supplemental payments to hospitals and providers, private insurance rates are expected to increase and cost shifting will once again be the norm in our country.  

Over the next two years, IEHP forecasts approximately 300,000 members will lose their health coverage, including many in rural areas where access to services is already limited.

As we begin to understand the full scope and impact of the cuts, our vision remains the same: we will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health.

IEHP remains committed to working with our providers, community partners, and state and county leaders to ensure our members have access to the high-quality and equitable health care services they deserve.” 

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fifth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. In its 27th year, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). Today, IEHP has a growing network of nearly 6,800 providers and more than 3,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.