Republicans Move Forward with Medicaid Cuts

The House Energy and Commerce Committee pushed legislation forward on Wednesday that involves reductions to Medicaid and healthcare provisions.

After a lengthy meeting exceeding 26 hours, the panel voted 30-24. The bill will now be passed to the House Budget Committee, set to convene on Friday morning. This session will also look to integrate measures aimed at advancing Trump’s priorities, including extensions of tax breaks and new tax cuts on overtime pay.

The committee has been assigned the task of finding $880 billion in savings over the next decade, primarily through cuts to Medicaid.

The proposed plan stipulates that adults aged 19 to 64 without children must meet certain work requirements unless they qualify for exemptions. It would also put an end to long-standing state practices that tax healthcare providers, fund the Medicaid program, and penalize unauthorized immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits. Moreover, it seeks to cement changes from the Trump administration that aim to shorten the open enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act, among other adjustments.

A recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) suggests that by 2034, approximately 10.3 million individuals could lose Medicaid coverage, with 7.6 million becoming uninsured.

Democrats have pointed to these CBO estimates to argue that millions are at risk of losing healthcare under the GOP’s proposals. They emphasize that this legislation seems designed to benefit wealthy corporations at the expense of ordinary Americans.

Republicans contend that the insurance losses would predominantly affect “healthy” adults, emphasizing the focus on work requirements for those entering the country illegally. They accuse Democrats of portraying their plan inaccurately for political gain.

“We’re committed to preserving Medicaid for those who need it most—pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly,” they claim.

The hearings weren’t without their controversies, leading to tense exchanges among members.

Veteran Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) expressed frustration with the Democrats’ narrative, stating, “It’s not true that your Medicaid interests are at risk with this bill. They are misleading you.”

Early in the session, protests erupted, with some demonstrators—even in wheelchairs—voicing their opposition to the Medicaid cuts. Law enforcement at the U.S. Capitol took several protesters into custody.

The lengthy markup appeared to serve as a demonstration of defiance from the Democratic side of the committee, aiming to secure more favorable amendments. Late-night attendance by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) highlighted the pushback against Medicaid reductions.

The sessions were physically demanding, with some members, including Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), showing signs of fatigue. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) shared that he relied on energy drinks and snacks to keep going during the marathon session.

The healthcare section marked the conclusion of the Energy and Commerce Bill discussions, which also covered energy, environmental issues, and communication during the extensive meeting that began on Tuesday afternoon.

Some provisions from a Democratic bill aimed at combating climate change, like the “Green Bank” program and a $3 billion block grant aimed at reducing pollution in underserved communities, would be eliminated.

However, Medicaid cuts emerged as a significant issue during the discussions, with some lawmakers acknowledging the political ramifications of cutting popular programs.

More cautious members managed to protect certain aspects of Medicaid, such as maintaining the federal matching rate and avoiding per capita caps on spending.

On the other hand, some in the Freedom Caucus expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of cuts, citing that existing measures wouldn’t sufficiently address Medicaid spending. They are advocating for changes ahead of the anticipated floor votes next week.

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), reflecting a sense of urgency, mentioned that the new work requirements are delayed until 2029, raising concerns about viability. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) echoed the call for “significant” changes, emphasizing the need for financial accountability.

Conversely, some more populist Republicans warn against drastic Medicaid reforms, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) labeling such cuts as “morally wrong and politically self-destructive.”

As the deadline approaches for sending the bill to the Senate, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) seeks to solidify support within the slim majority to move the legislation forward.