Medicaid Cuts Could Leave MILLIONS Without Coverage
Key Takeaways
- Republicans in the House of Representatives released a proposal that may deliver on several campaign promises but will cut Medicaid funding.
- More than 8.6 million Americans may become uninsured over the next decade.
Republicans in the House of Representatives have shared more details about President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”, which may slash Medicaid to the tune of $880 billion. While the budget doesn’t specifically cut Medicaid or Medicare, experts argue that the proposed $4.5 trillion in tax breaks would be impossible to achieve without impacting both these government-run programs. With nearly 70 million Americans on Medicare and 80 million on Medicaid, this proposed budget cut may reduce the coverage for 8.6 million recipients over the next decade.
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley weighed in on the cuts in an op-ed for The New York Times. “Mr. Trump has promised working-class tax cuts and protection for working-class social insurance, such as Medicaid,” the Republican Senator wrote. “But now a noisy contingent of corporatist Republicans—call it the party’s Wall Street wing—is urging Congress to ignore all that and get back to the old-time religion: corporate giveaways, preferences for capital, and deep cuts to social insurance. This wing of the party wants Republicans to build our big, beautiful bill around slashing health insurance for the working poor. But that argument is both morally wrong and politically suicidal.” Hawley added that in his home state of Missouri, workers and their children may lose their health care, warning that the pattern could continue across other states.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a government-led program that helps cover medical costs for disabled and low-income individuals. According to recent data, over 70 million Americans receive healthcare coverage through the program. Medicaid spending totaled around $618 billion in 2024, just behind Medicare and Social Security. Additionally, enrollment in the program has nearly tripled over the last 30 years, due in part to the Affordable Care Act.
How would the proposal affect Medicaid?
According to the 160-page section about health care and Medicaid, the bill would see a change in the eligibility requirements. For example, able-bodied adults without dependents must prove they either worked or volunteered for at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving their Medicaid coverage. Furthermore, Medicaid recipients will also have to verify their eligibility every 6 months (twice a year) instead of once. And finally, recipients will also have to verify their immigration status and citizenship to continue receiving their benefits. Additionally, out-of-pocket costs may rise.
Will I lose my Medicaid coverage?
In an op-ed to The Washington Post, Committee Chairman Representative Brett Guthrie of Kentucky argued that the “big, beautiful bill” will benefit Medicaid. “When so many Americans who are truly in need rely on Medicaid for life-saving services, Washington can’t afford to undermine the program further by subsidizing capable adults who choose not to work. That’s why our bill would implement sensible work requirements,” Guthrie said. And while many may fear losing their Medicaid coverage, Gurthie argued that the bill will actually preserve and strengthen “Medicaid for children, mothers, people with disabilities and the elderly, for whom the program was designed.”
However, Democrats and some Republicans argue that millions may instead lose their coverage, and that states will be put in the impossible position of reforming the programs or cutting benefits. “This is not trimming fat from around the edges, it’s cutting to the bone,” said Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey. The Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a formal debate and vote on the proposal this week.
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Originally published May 13, 2025
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