GOP defends Medicaid reform as Dems campaign on ‘big, beautiful bill’ cuts

House Republicans are celebrating a major victory with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they say will reform Medicaid to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse while ensuring coverage for those who need it most. The GOP argues that the bill puts Americans first by securing the border, protecting benefits for vulnerable populations, and investing in American manufacturing and energy production.

However, Democrats have been quick to criticize the bill, particularly its Medicaid reforms, since President Donald Trump’s election. With the bill now passed in the House of Representatives, Democrats are making Medicaid cuts a central issue in the lead-up to the competitive midterm elections in 2026.

Republican lawmakers like Rep. Erin Houchin from Indiana have pushed back against Democratic rhetoric, arguing that claims of drastic Medicaid cuts are false. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that 8.6 million people will lose health insurance by 2034 as a result of the Medicaid reform in the bill. Houchin points out that 5 million of those individuals were already set to lose coverage due to the sunset date on tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

Despite these estimates, Democrats continue to warn of dire consequences from the bill, with some predicting that passing the “big, beautiful bill” will cost many Republicans their seats in the upcoming elections. The CBO’s analysis has also come under scrutiny, with some questioning the impartiality of the analysts involved.

Houchin and other Republicans maintain that the Medicaid reform in the bill is not about cutting benefits for the most vulnerable, but rather targeting waste, fraud, and abuse in the program. They argue that the reforms will ensure that Medicaid dollars are protected for those who truly need them, while also implementing work requirements for able-bodied adults.

As the bill moves to the Senate for further consideration, Republicans are facing internal dissent, with some senators expressing concerns about the impact of the bill on rural hospitals and working-class families. Despite these challenges, the legislation represents a significant step forward in advancing Trump’s agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense, and the national debt.

While Democrats continue to criticize the bill for its Medicaid cuts, Republicans are hitting back by highlighting the tax cuts and other benefits included in the legislation. Both parties are gearing up for a contentious election cycle, with Democrats targeting vulnerable Republicans who supported the bill and Republicans going after Democrats for voting against tax cuts.

As lawmakers engage with constituents during the congressional recess, the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) is urging House Republicans to defend the bill and communicate its benefits to the American people. The GOP remains steadfast in its belief that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will protect benefits for the most vulnerable Americans and ensure the sustainability of Medicaid for future generations.