House Republicans Want to Cut Medicaid by $880B to Pay for Trump’s Tax Breaks

House Republicans have released what they describe as the centerpiece of Donald Trump’s proposed “big, beautiful bill” that cuts costs, but it has a price tag that millions of Americans may directly experience.

The legislation extends Trump’s 2017 tax rewrite by proposing an astounding $880 billion in cutbacks, most of which target Medicaid, to help pay for $4.5 trillion in tax breaks. Since the GOP’s failed repeal of Obamacare in 2017, the bill, which was unveiled Sunday night, has already sparked the largest health care battle.

The plan suggests increasing Medicaid participants’ out-of-pocket expenses, eligibility checks, and work requirements. While Republicans contend that these steps are required to cut down on “waste, fraud, and abuse,” Democrats claim the plan may deprive over 8.6 million Americans, especially working-class individuals, families, and the elderly, of health insurance.

“This is a disgrace,” New Jersey Representative Frank Pallone remarked. “Millions will no longer be covered. Hospitals will stop operating. Elderly people will suffer from

In order to be eligible for Medicaid, able-bodied adults without dependents would need to work or take part in job training programs for at least 80 hours per month, according to the GOP proposal. Households with homes worth more than $1 million would not be allowed to enroll, and verification would increase from once to twice a year.

In fact, the measure targets states that offer Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, suggesting a 10% reduction in federal funding for those programs and requiring proof of lawful residence in order to qualify for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, is working quickly to enact Trump’s entire bill by Memorial Day, which combines energy rollbacks, health care cuts, and tax incentives into a single, comprehensive package.

Trump has been silent on the Medicaid cuts, having promised not to make any changes to the program throughout his campaign. Additionally, several Republicans are not on board. The concept was deemed “politically suicidal and morally wrong” by Senator Josh Hawley.

However, Republicans in the House argue that this is about fiscal discipline and paying for the extension of Trump’s tax reductions before they run out.

Proposals from 11 House committees are anticipated to be included in the final bill, which would include additional regulations for oil and gas development and cuts to green energy initiatives from the Biden administration.