Dems stoke fears of Medicaid cuts as budget battle heats up, experts say
The White House is pushing back against claims made by Democrats and the anti-Trump “resistance” that nearly 14 million people will lose insurance coverage under Republican Medicaid reform proposals as part of President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” Republicans are calling foul on the data spin and accusing Dems of using scare tactics to push their agenda.
The ongoing feud between Democrats and Republicans over Medicaid spending levels has reached new heights, with conflicting reports emerging from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) adding fuel to the fire. While Democrats have combined data from two recent CBO reports to support their claim that millions would lose coverage, the White House and Republicans are pushing back, arguing that not all the policies evaluated were actually included in the Republican legislation and that the actual number of people at risk of losing coverage is much lower.
White House spokesman Kush Desai defended Trump’s Medicaid reform proposals, stating that the President is committed to protecting Medicaid for eligible Americans by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within the program. Desai emphasized that the reforms aim to strengthen Medicaid for those who truly need it, such as pregnant women, the disabled, seniors, and low-income families.
The CBO reports in question have evaluated various Medicaid proposals, but experts have pointed out that many of the policies analyzed were not identical to those put forward by Republicans. Instead, they were speculative ideas requested by Democrats to criticize potential Republican proposals. Republicans argue that the Democrats are fear-mongering and using the reports as a political weapon to derail their legislative efforts.
The latest CBO analysis suggests that implementing work requirements, strengthening eligibility checks, and removing illegal immigrants from Medicaid could result in 10.3 million people losing coverage. However, Republicans contend that their reforms are aimed at preserving Medicaid for those in need and that the actual number of people at risk of losing coverage is significantly lower.
While Democrats have labeled the Republican proposals as catastrophic and harmful, Republicans maintain that their reforms are necessary to curb Medicaid spending and ensure the program remains sustainable for future generations. The tension between the two parties over Medicaid funding is part of a larger battle over Trump’s budget package, with both sides vying for a political victory.
As the debate rages on, Speaker Mike Johnson is working to advance the legislation through the House by Memorial Day. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has unveiled a portion of the measure that includes policies such as work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients and limits on state spending for expanded Medicaid populations. Democrats have criticized the effort, claiming that it will strip healthcare coverage from millions of Americans.
In the midst of the heated debate, Republicans and Democrats continue to clash over Medicaid reform, with both sides accusing the other of misinformation and fear-mongering. The fate of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” hangs in the balance as the political showdown over healthcare coverage intensifies.
