The debate over Medicaid funding is heating up in the House as Republicans negotiate a massive bill to advance President Trump’s policies. Some GOP lawmakers are expressing concerns about the level of spending cuts being sought by fiscal hawks to offset the cost of the legislation. Rep.
On Tuesday, Don Bacon, R-Neb., said, “I’m concerned that $880 billion out of [the House Energy & Commerce Committee] is likely to be very steep cuts to Medicaid—and it’s the very thing President Trump asked us not to do.”
Republicans are working to pass a broad range of Trump’s priorities, including defense and border security investments, extending his 2017 tax cuts, and eliminating taxes on tips. They aim to use the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party controlling both houses of Congress to pass a tax and budget bill without support from the opposing party. Speaker Mike Johnson faces the challenge of navigating his slim majority to pass the bill.
Conservative spending hawks are pushing for deep cuts in federal spending to offset the cost of Trump’s priorities.
Medicaid cuts amid GOP budget talks
The bill seeks to cut government spending by at least $1.5 trillion while allocating $4.5 trillion toward Trump’s tax cuts.
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said, “We want to ensure that it’s not going to hurt… our hospitals, or our organizations that serve the developmentally disabled, and we’re asking for clarity on where the $880 billion in savings come from.”
Another unnamed House Republican said, “A bunch of us” think the proposed cuts “are too big.” They added, “They’re trying to sell us $1.5 trillion, but in reality, another $500 billion is attached to it that they’re trying to cut. And it’s not going to pass.”
Democrats are poised to exploit the discord among Republicans.
The House Majority PAC, aligned with House Democratic leadership, accused Republicans of seeking to make “deep cuts” to Medicaid “to fund $4.5 trillion in tax cuts to Elon Musk and other billionaires.
As the debate continues, the future of Medicaid hangs in the balance. The program provides health coverage to over 79 million low-income and disabled Americans. Any significant changes to Medicaid funding could have far-reaching consequences for enrollees, states, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system.
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