Rising GOP Concerns Over Medicaid Cuts: Hard-Liners Urge Speaker Mike Johnson to Tackle Deficit Reduction

Republicans Face Divisions Over Medicaid Bill

In Washington, Republicans are grappling with serious disagreements regarding Medicaid as they work on a major piece of legislation aligned with President Trump’s agenda. With a House committee review scheduled for next week, tensions are running high.

Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana is under pressure from two sides. On one hand, centrist members from swing districts are anxious about potential Medicaid cuts. On the other, conservative hard-liners demand at least $2 trillion in spending reductions.

A closed-door meeting of the House Energy and Commerce Committee took place on Wednesday. Members are tasked with finding $880 billion in savings, primarily from Medicaid. Plans to release legislative text have already been postponed.

Despite some reports of optimism from Republican lawmakers, significant disagreements remain. Johnson previously mentioned that some proposed cuts, such as reducing federal funding for states under Obamacare and implementing spending caps, might not happen. However, after the latest meeting, committee chair Brett Guthrie had a different outlook, suggesting that discussions about spending caps are still ongoing.

Rep. Don Bacon from Nebraska highlighted that including these contentious cuts could jeopardize the bill’s chances of passing. He expressed doubt about the support it would receive in both the House and the Senate.

The narrow majority in the House—just 220-213—means Johnson can afford to lose only three Republican votes before the bill collapses. His aim is to pass it by Memorial Day.

Recently, a group of 32 Republicans sent a letter to Johnson emphasizing that any reconciliation bill must include at least $2 trillion in verifiable savings or scaled-back tax cuts. They stressed that spending cuts should be tangible, not mere budget tricks.

Alongside this internal struggle, there’s rising pressure from Democrats. They argue that any proposed changes could threaten health coverage, particularly for older adults. Recently, prominent Democrats held a "24-hour vigil for Medicaid," highlighting the risks involved.

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office confirms that some proposed cuts could lead to billions in savings but may also result in millions losing Medicaid coverage. This adds to Democrats’ warnings about the potential fallout.

The term "benefit cut" is causing confusion within the party. Some Republicans assert that any restrictions impacting current Medicaid beneficiaries should be seen as cuts, while others argue that spending increases in the long run would negate fears of cuts.

With ongoing discussions about potential work requirements and citizenship verifications for Medicaid, Republicans generally agree on new regulations. Yet, there are significant disagreements about which policies would drive deeper savings without affecting benefits.

As these tensions mount, the future of the bill—and the fate of Medicaid—remains uncertain. For ongoing updates on Medicaid discussions, check reputable sources like the Congressional Budget Office.

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