A Lifeline for People with Mental Illness—Why We Must Protect Medicaid in Wisconsin
When we talk about mental health care, access is everything. Without insurance, mental health treatment—like therapy, medication, and crisis intervention—becomes out of reach for millions of Americans. For those living with mental illness, Medicaid is often the difference between stability and crisis. Yet, proposed cuts to Medicaid threaten to dismantle this critical support system, leaving some of the most vulnerable members of our communities without care.
Medicaid’s Role in Mental Health Care
Medicaid covers nearly one in three (29%) adults living with mental illness, or about 15 million adults nationwide (Saunders et al., 2025). In Wisconsin alone, 251,000 people receiving Medicaid live with a mental illness. Cuts to Medicaid could force states to make devastating decisions—reducing coverage, slashing benefits, or cutting provider payment rates, all of which would limit access to care for those who need it most.
For many, Medicaid is their only option. While 53% of people without disabilities get insurance through their employer, only 21% of people with disabilities do (Burns & Cervantes, 2025). This means Medicaid fills a crucial gap, ensuring access to essential care, including long-term services often not covered by private insurance or Medicare.
The Impact of Medicaid Cuts
Proposals to cut Medicaid spending by up to $2.3 trillion could have dire consequences (Gunn, 2025). Wisconsin’s rural communities, where nearly 1.5 million residents live, would be especially hard hit. Medicaid plays a critical role in ensuring these communities have access to health care, and drastic funding reductions could mean clinic closures, longer wait times, and fewer available providers.
Further, people with mental illness are twice as likely to have chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes (Saunders et al., 2025). Without Medicaid, these individuals could face declining health, increased hospitalizations, and an overall diminished quality of life. In Racine County, where 20.8% of residents receive Medicaid, cuts could be devastating, affecting thousands of individuals and families (Georgetown CCF, 2025).
A Public Health Issue That Affects Everyone
Mental health is not just an individual concern—it is a public health issue that impacts workplaces, schools, families, and entire communities. When people can access mental health care, they can work, care for their families, and contribute to their communities. When they can’t, the consequences ripple outward—leading to increased homelessness, emergency room visits, unemployment, and even incarceration.
Protecting Medicaid means protecting our neighbors, friends, and family members. It means ensuring that no one is left without the care they need simply because they cannot afford it.
Raise Your Voice
The future of Medicaid is being debated now, and lawmakers need to hear from us. We can’t afford to be silent while the safety net for millions is at risk.
Take action today by signing NAMI’s petition to protect Medicaid and ensure that people living with mental illness continue to receive the care they need.
Together, we can safeguard the health and well-being of our communities and ensure that Medicaid remains a lifeline for those who need it most.
Sources:
Burns, A., & Cervantes, S. (2025, February 7). 5 Key Facts about Medicaid Coverage for People with Disabilities. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-coverage-for-people-with-disabilities/
Saunders, H., Euhus, R., Burns, A., & Rudowitz, R. (2025, February 21). 5 Key Facts about Medicaid Coverage for Adults with Mental Illness. KFF. https://www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-coverage-for-adults-with-mental-illness/
Gunn, E. (2025, January 15). Report warns potential Medicaid cuts would harm rural patients, communities. Wisconsin Examiner. https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/01/15/report-warns-potential-medicaid-cuts-would-harm-rural-patients-communities/
Georgetown Center for Children and Families. (2025, February 6). Medicaid Coverage in Wisconsin Counties 2023. https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/02/06/medicaid-coverage-in-wisconsin-counties-2023/