Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) and several Republican colleagues have proposed amendments to President Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” aiming to cut Medicaid spending by an additional $313 billion. This would involve limiting Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.
The proposed amendment would deny new enrollees in states expanding Medicaid a 9-1 federal health assistance rate (FMAP) unless they have healthy dependent children.
However, individuals already receiving Medicaid in expanded states will retain their 9-1 FMAP share, even if they temporarily leave the program to work and then return.
These FMAP reductions for new subscribers are set to start in 2031.
Scott’s office notes that a preliminary analysis from the Congressional Budget Office suggests this revision could save $313 billion over the next decade.
On Sunday, Scott and other conservatives, including Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), were working to rally support among Republican senators for the amendment.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) promised Scott on Saturday night that he would back the amendment in exchange for Scott’s support on another critical aspect of the bill.
“I think it’s going to pass. It’s a solid policy. It gives states a chance to prepare. No one will be cut off,” Scott mentioned to Hill.
When questioned about his vote on the final 940-page bill if his amendments didn’t go through, Scott replied, “I understand.” He emphasized, “My goal is to support Trump. I back his agenda.”
This amendment is backed by Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).
Thune expressed optimism on Sunday that most of his colleagues would support the amendment, though he wasn’t entirely certain it would succeed.
“We believe it’s a solid policy. I think many of us are on board,” he noted.
When asked whether Scott had guaranteed the amendment’s adoption, Thune responded, “You can’t ever guarantee that.” He added, “We’ll do what we can to promote our policy.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had previously dismissed changes to the FMAP formula for Medicaid expansion states while the House was working on a settlement bill earlier in May.
Johnson, a co-sponsor of the amendment, indicated that the proposal aims to roll back fundamental aspects of Obamacare. “People are being called out, pressure is mounting,” he remarked. “No one will lose coverage… I will be informing all states that this gravy train is coming to an end.”
“We’re attempting to apply as much pressure as possible to get this amendment passed,” he concluded.
