Medicaid cuts in Trump’s ‘beautiful bill’ denounced by retiring Sen. Tillis
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina made headlines recently when he announced that he would not seek a third term in 2026. Just hours after this surprising announcement, Tillis spoke out against President Donald Trump’s proposed spending package, calling it a “big, beautiful bill” that would ultimately betray a promise made by the president regarding healthcare.
Tillis, who voted against a motion to proceed with the spending package, took to the Senate floor to express his concerns about the bill. He warned that Republicans were on the verge of making a mistake regarding healthcare and betraying a promise on Medicaid if the package was to pass. He criticized the bill for eliminating a government program known as the provider tax, which he argued would hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid.
The senator emphasized his support for work requirements and other reforms included in the bill but stressed the need to fix the Medicaid provisions. Tillis consulted with Republican experts in the state legislature, Democrats loyal to Governor Josh Stein, and an independent body from the hospitals’ association to understand the potential impact of the provider tax cuts in North Carolina. He presented his findings to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Tillis raised concerns about the estimated $26 billion cut in federal support for Medicaid under the bill and criticized the White House healthcare experts for misinforming President Trump about the bill’s effects. He warned that breaking the promise made by the president would have serious consequences for North Carolinians relying on Medicaid.
In response to Tillis’ retirement announcement, President Trump celebrated and issued a warning to other “cost-cutting Republicans.” He reminded them that they still needed to get reelected and urged caution in pursuing cost-cutting measures. Trump expressed confidence in making up for any cuts with growth opportunities.
Tillis, in turn, offered to help Trump find a replacement candidate for the 2026 election and expressed his commitment to ensuring a successful outcome. He criticized the advice the president was receiving from individuals who lacked governing experience and condemned their influence on policy decisions.
In his retirement announcement, Tillis highlighted the importance of embracing bipartisanship, compromise, and independent thinking in leadership. He lamented the decline of such qualities in today’s political landscape.
Overall, Senator Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek reelection and his outspoken criticism of President Trump’s spending package have sparked a debate on healthcare policy and the future of the Republican Party. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the upcoming election and the broader political landscape in North Carolina.
