Here are the times Trump has said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid
President Donald Trump has been vocal about his commitment to not cutting Medicaid, a program that provides health care for low-income individuals, the elderly, and the disabled. However, the recent House Republicans’ bill aimed at funding his agenda includes significant cuts to Medicaid, totaling hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade.
Despite Trump’s previous promises to protect Medicaid, the proposed bill includes measures such as imposing work requirements for recipients, conducting more frequent eligibility checks, and penalizing states that offer Medicaid to undocumented immigrants. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these changes would result in savings of $880 billion, with $715 billion coming from the health care portion of the program. However, this would also leave an additional 8.6 million Americans uninsured.
During his presidential campaign, Trump assured voters that he would safeguard programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security without any cuts. However, once in office, he has taken steps to dismantle these programs. Despite his assurances not to touch Medicaid, Trump has emphasized the need to root out fraud and abuse within the system.
In response to criticism over the proposed cuts to Medicaid, Trump has reiterated his commitment to protecting the program. He has emphasized the administration’s focus on eliminating waste and abuse rather than reducing benefits for eligible individuals. Additionally, Trump has signed an executive order aimed at lowering prescription drug costs, which he believes should be factored into the bill’s financial calculations.
The bill has faced pushback from both Democrats and Republicans, with some expressing concerns about the impact of the cuts on vulnerable populations. Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, penned an opinion piece warning against slashing Medicaid coverage for the working poor, calling it morally wrong and politically detrimental. The Federation of American Hospitals has also criticized the proposed cuts, stating that they would severely impact millions of individuals who rely on Medicaid for health coverage.
As the debate over Medicaid cuts continues, it remains to be seen how Congress will address the issue and whether Trump’s promises to protect the program will hold true in the face of mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle.
