Congressional Republicans are pushing to pass President Donald Trump’s signature legislation, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” by the Friday deadline. But the bill that aims to reduce government spending and cut taxes is facing significant opposition on Capitol Hill.
The legislation proposes reforms to Medicaid, the government-backed healthcare program for low-income and disabled Americans, as a means to cut costs. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “You have people on the rolls here today who are here illegally. You have people here on the rolls today who are not eligible for this program.”
One of the proposed reforms includes adding work requirements for Medicaid recipients. “If you’re an able-bodied adult, not disabled and not a child, and you don’t have any children under 14, you have to work 20-hours a week to continue Medicaid. I think that’s imminently reasonable,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, said.
However, critics argue the reforms are effectively cuts that will remove healthcare access from millions of vulnerable Americans. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumerm D-NY, questioned, “How can any senator go home and tell their constituents, ‘I’m sorry I took away your health care because I wanted to give tax breaks to billionaires.’ ”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, expressed strong opposition to the Medicaid changes, saying, “Now Republicans are about to make a mistake on healthcare, and betray a promise.” Following criticism from Trump for not supporting the bill, Tillis announced he would not seek re-election.
To address concerns about the bill’s effect on rural hospitals, Senate Republicans have increased the Rural Hospital Relief Fund from $15 billion to $25 billion. The House must approve the Senate’s changes before the bill can be sent to Trump’s desk for a signature.
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