The congressional budget reconciliation bill has been sent back for a rework, but measures around reforming Medicaid already passed through its committee, meaning those measures are unlikely to change.
Why It Matters
Millions of Americans are at risk of losing access to Medicaid under the proposed legislation, which passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee (HECC). Representative Brett Guthrie, a Kentucky Republican and chair of the HECC, insisted that the changes will “strengthen and sustain” Medicaid for the future, calling them “common sense.”
What Is The Budget Reconciliation Bill?
The Republicans are looking to pass a single reconciliation bill that would push through a number of President Donald Trump‘s major policies, including tax cuts, immigration enforcement and changes to Medicaid.
Reconciliation is a process that allows a bill to pass with a simple majority rather than the usual two-thirds required, which is something Republicans need to pass the bill considering the thin majorities in the House and the Senate.
However, that still requires all Republicans to vote together on the bill, and just a couple of dissenters can derail the entire effort.
How It Impacts Medicaid Users
The reconciliation bill as proposed would see several groups impacted. Chiefly, the bill would cut Medicaid access to immigrants who lack legal status in the U.S., with cuts to funding for states that allow illegal immigrants to enroll in the program.
The bill also looks to require able-bodied adults under age 65 to complete a minimum number of paid work hours or community engagement to qualify for Medicaid benefits.
The bill also includes mandated eligibility redeterminations at least every six months for adults covered by the Medicaid expansion. Previously, recipients needed to check in once a year.
The bill also will prohibit funds from going to Planned Parenthood and fund-matching for “gender transition procedures,” including puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries.
What Is The Status Of The Bill?
The bill was kicked back to the floor after the House Budget Committee voted 21-16, forcing Republicans to take another run at the bill before trying to vote on it again.
Representative Chip Roy of Texas, a Republican member of the House Budget Committee, said the proposed bill fell short of his expectations and requires “serious reform.”
Representative Bobby Scott of Virginia, a Democrat, criticized the bill for increasing the deficit if it passed, going against the much-touted goal of the Republican Party and the White House to significantly reduce spending.
What Has Donald Trump Said About The Bill?
Trump has continually championed getting his budget passed as “one, big, beautiful bill,” but following the failure to advance the bill past the budget committee, Trump took to Truth Social to urge another, more unified effort.
“Republicans MUST UNITE behind, “THE ONE, BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL!” Not only does it cut Taxes for ALL Americans, but it will kick millions of Illegal Aliens off of Medicaid to PROTECT it for those who are the ones in real need,” Trump wrote.
“The Country will suffer greatly without this Legislation, with their Taxes going up 65 percent,” Trump continued. “It will be blamed on the Democrats, but that doesn’t help our Voters. We don’t need “GRANDSTANDERS” in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE! It is time to fix the MESS that Biden and the Democrats gave us. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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