U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander and Mayor James Donchess recently met with healthcare workers in Nashua to discuss the impacts of the federal proposal to cut Medicaid by $880 billion. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) recently heard from several local healthcare workers whose services would be dramatically reduced or eliminated altogether under the Congressional Resolution to slash Medicaid by $880 billion through 2034.

“We’re talking about the core of Medicaid, the math doesn’t work out,” Goodlander said during her March 18 meeting at Gateways Community Services, which relies heavily on federal funding. “We’re going to have to put into place the most heartbreaking contingency plans you can think of.”

The Republican-led Resolution narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives last month in a 217-215 vote. The bill is now under consideration by the U.S. Senate.

If the Resolution is signed into law, Goodlander said it would be the largest reduction in Medicaid funding in the nation’s history.

“We need to educate the entire United States Congress about what we’re up against,” she said.

Mark Thornton, a member of the Gateways Board of Directors, has two sons, ages 45 and 47, living with disabilities.

“My youngest son was born in the backseat of the car,” he said, adding that his son contracted meningitis and encephalitis soon after birth. “He was a very sick child.”

At the time, doctors told Thornton that there was a 90 percent chance that his son would be institutionalized.

However, under the care of Gateways, Thornton’s son is now able to drive, works two jobs and lives independently in Bow.

Thornton’s oldest son was diagnosed with epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

“He struggles horribly with both disorders,” said Thornton.

However, because of Gateways, Thornton’s oldest son has a job and for the most part, lives a normal life.

Legislative Liaison William Walker said his 26-year-old son Liam has been at Gateways since he was 18 months old and now volunteers for Meals on Wheels.

With the possibility of such drastic cuts to Medicaid, Walker said he is concerned about Liam’s future with Gateways.

“Is my son going to have services?” he asked. “Right now, it looks very bleak.”

Vanessa Talasazan, chief strategy officer at Harbor Care, said 80 percent of her patients are homeless and 70 percent suffer from mental health ailments or substance abuse.

“If we see any cuts, it would be devastating,” she said, adding that Harbor Care’s dental services would end and its substance abuse program would be greatly reduced.

Timothy McMahon, marketing director at St. Joseph Hospital, said his parents, who are both in their 70s, are the primary caregivers for his 41-year-old sister who has special needs. The planned Medicaid cuts have only heightened McMahon’s anxiety of what the future may hold.

“Somewhere down the road, my parents won’t be able to take care of her anymore,” he said. “I’m extremely worried about her.”

Melbourne Moran, owner of Wanderlust Therapeutic Services, said 40 percent of his clients are on Medicaid.

Last year, Wanderlust was able to give $100,000 to nonprofit organizations. However, this year, rather than making another charitable donation, Moran said he may have to use that money to cover insurance costs.

Gregory White, CEO of Lamprey Health Care, said the company currently has 17,000 patients. If the Medicaid cuts are ultimately approved, 1,500 patients would lose their health insurance.

He said it would be impossible for his Medicaid patients to pay out-of-pocket.

“The folks we’re serving don’t have the resources,” said White.

To fill the financial void, he said Lamprey would be forced to reduce its budget by $5 million and eliminate 20 staff positions.