Republicans can’t obtain their aim of slashing $2 trillion in federal spending over the subsequent decade with out chopping Medicaid, based on the nonpartisan Congressional Price range Workplace (CBO).
In a report launched Wednesday, CBO discovered that the federal government spends $381 billion on applications apart from Medicaid or the Kids’s Well being Insurance coverage Program (CHIP) which might be beneath the jurisdiction of the Power and Commerce Committee.
That’s an issue for Home Republicans, who wish to slash $880 billion from applications within the committee’s jurisdiction to assist pay for an extension of President Trump’s tax cuts and border enforcement funding.
One of many prime targets is Medicaid, the joint federal and state-funded program that gives well being protection to greater than 72 million low-income Individuals. Republicans see Medicaid as a program rife with fraud and abuse and have lengthy sought to rein in its spending.
CBO stated that of the $381 billion, greater than half is already paid for. So even when Republicans eradicate each program beneath Power and Commerce apart from Medicaid and CHIP, it could solely be capable of save a most of $135 billion.
Republicans within the Home superior a funds decision almost on occasion strains final week calling for a minimum of $2 trillion in spending cuts, kicking off the reconciliation course of that can permit the Senate to bypass the filibuster and move a invoice with solely 51 votes.
Beneath the decision, the Power and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, has been tasked with figuring out a minimum of $880 billion in cuts.
Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and different Republican leaders argue they don’t seem to be concentrating on Medicaid. They are saying the financial savings will come largely from removing waste, fraud and abuse whereas additionally increasing work necessities for some adults receiving advantages
Johnson final week in a CNN interview stated that among the steepest potential cuts, like a change that will cap federal funds based mostly on inhabitants moderately than the present open-ended entitlement, are off the desk. However he left the door open to decreasing the improved federal match for Medicaid growth states and enthusiastically endorsed work necessities.
“This analysis from the nonpartisan CBO confirms what we’ve been saying all along: Republicans are lying about their budget,” stated Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pa.), the highest Democrat on the Home Price range Committee, who requested the report. “Their plan would force the largest Medicaid cuts in American history — all to pay for more tax giveaways to billionaires. The American people deserve to know just how much pain Republicans are willing to inflict on their own constituents to reward their billionaire donors.”
