Trump's Budget Bill: Deep Medicaid Cuts Threaten Healthcare for Millions

Proposed Medicaid Cuts Spark Concerns Over Healthcare Access Washington, D.C. - President Trump's proposed budget bill has ignited a heated debate over potential cuts to Medicaid, a crucial healthcare program for millions of low-income Americans, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The PBS NewsHour recently interviewed Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), to shed light on the potential consequences of these cuts. "This bill, for the first time, imposes a national work requirement on the Medicaid program," Tolbert explained. "It would require certain individuals covered by Medicaid to work at least 80 hours a month or engage in community service or work training." She noted that while there are exemptions for parents with dependent children and those who are medically frail, many who would be subject to the new requirements are already working or unable to work due to circumstances that would likely qualify them for an exemption. The bill also aims to reduce funding for state Medicaid expansion, a provision of the Affordable Care Act that has allowed 40 states and D.C. to expand coverage to more low-income adults. Tolbert warned that this reduction in federal funding would shift costs onto the states, forcing them to make difficult choices about how to maintain coverage or face significant losses of coverage among vulnerable populations. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed changes would lead to a reduction of over $700 billion in federal Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. Tolbert stated that this could result in over 10 million people losing their Medicaid coverage, including many seniors and people with disabilities who rely on the program for long-term care services. She emphasized that the cuts would also eliminate supplemental benefits provided by Medicaid, such as dental and vision care, further impacting the health and well-being of those affected. The potential consequences of these cuts highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive and equitable approach to healthcare financing that ensures access for all Americans.