Medicaid is the state-and federally-funded program that provides low-income, elderly and disabled Americans access to the health-care system, and it seems women are the majority of those receiving–and too often not receiving–aid. When it comes to health coverage, it appears to be women who are floundering most. A Kaiser Family Foundation report cites that in 2003, 11 million low-income women (19-64) were enrolled in Medicaid–nearly three-quarters of all adults on the program. Footing the bill for one-third of all births, over half of the publicly funded family-planning programs and HIV/AIDS care, and half of nursing-home services, Medicaid significantly affects the health of many American women throughout their lives.

One of the more controversial elements of the 2007 budget is the proposed changes to Medicaid, specifically the anticipated decrease in federal, Medicaid payments to hospitals and nursing homes that care for low-income individuals. The administration maintains that such Medicaid cuts are necessary to “ensure the fiscal integrity of Medicaid and curb excessive payments to health-care providers.” However, less money from the federal government would place a larger financial burden on states already struggling to subsidize their share of the costs.

So what does that mean for the fairer sex? With less federal funding, some states might react by reducing Medicaid assistance or further restricting eligibility. The government uses the terms “mandatory” or “optional” to describe uninsured, low-income individuals, all of whom would benefit from Medicaid. However under current guidelines, only low-income individuals who are parents, pregnant, over 65 or disabled fall into the “mandatory” group, leaving a large percentage of low-income, uninsured people classified as “optional” Medicaid recipients.

In fact, because of the stringent standards, most women who don’t fall into the “mandatory” category are unlikely to qualify, no matter how poor they are. According to the article “Medicaid: Supporting Women’s Health, Fighting for Its Life,” those limitations leave nearly 17 million women without access to Medicaid, and thus uninsured.

Although the proposed Medicaid cuts have the potential of leaving a large portion of the population uninsured, some may successfully reduce the deficit without adversely affecting Medicaid beneficiaries. The Kaiser Family Foundation provides more information about the specific Medicaid proposals. And a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities offers further analysis of how the proposals would affect the state of Medicaid and its 50 million beneficiaries.