Don’t miss the full story from our staff writers, whose reportage is the basis of this article.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended President Trump’s comprehensive legislative proposal on Sunday, pushing back against Democratic criticism regarding its impact on Medicaid. Mr. Johnson argued that Democrats are spreading misinformation about the bill’s effects, claiming the proposed Medicaid changes would only affect unauthorized immigrants and able-bodied Americans who are exploiting the system through fraud.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Mr. Johnson specifically targeted young men on Medicaid who choose not to work despite being capable, calling this behavior fraudulent. He emphasized that the healthcare program would remain intact for those who genuinely need assistance, including single mothers, while requiring able-bodied recipients to contribute if they’re capable of working.
Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado challenged the House speaker’s assertions, arguing they were false. Mr. Bennet highlighted concerns from healthcare providers in Republican-leaning areas who voted for Mr. Trump, noting these providers are already operating on minimal budgets without engaging in waste or fraud. He warned that the proposed changes could force many healthcare providers out of business and make healthcare inaccessible for families in rural areas far from major cities like Denver.
The Medicaid program, established in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson, originally served low-income mothers, children, pregnant women, and disabled individuals. The Affordable Care Act expanded coverage to include low-income, able-bodied adults without dependents earning up to 138% of the poverty level. While the law initially required all states to expand Medicaid, a 2012 Supreme Court ruling made expansion optional. Currently, 40 states plus Washington D.C. have adopted these expansions.
The Congressional Budget Office’s recent analysis estimated that the House-approved plan would result in millions losing health insurance coverage. This finding has strengthened Democratic opposition while creating unease among some Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces a significant challenge with only three votes to spare. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on the national deficit, calling the proposed spending cuts a “rounding error” compared to the over $4 trillion the measure would add to national debt over the next decade.
Despite criticism, Speaker Johnson maintained that critics overlook the bill’s potential for spurring economic growth and reducing deficits. He also urged Senate Republicans to avoid excessive modifications, particularly regarding the provision raising the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for taxpayers earning up to $500,000, emphasizing the need to support Republican representatives in high-tax states like California and New York.
Read more: Johnson accuses Democrats of ’twisted the facts’ on Medicaid changes
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
