The House Republicans’ proposed budget bill has sparked intense debate over its potential impact on Medicaid recipients. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the cuts, arguing that “4.8 million people will not lose their Medicaid unless they choose to do so.” He emphasized that the bill imposes “commonsense” work requirements for certain able-bodied Medicaid recipients, mandating them to work, participate in job training programs, or volunteer for 80 hours a month. Johnson dismissed concerns that these requirements are overly burdensome, stating, “You’re telling me that you’re going to require the able-bodied, these young men, for example, OK, to only work or volunteer in their community for 20 hours a week.
And that’s too cumbersome for them? I’m not buying it. The American people are not buying it.”
The bill also introduces new rules and paperwork requirements, increasing eligibility checks and address verifications.
Johnson argued that these work requirements “should have been put in a long time ago” and described the enforcement of these policies as “minor” and following “common sense.”
However, the proposed cuts to Medicaid have faced pushback from both Democrats and some Republicans. Critics argue that the bill’s reporting requirements could lead to millions losing their health care coverage. Sen.
Medicaid work requirements debated
Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., highlighted a study from his office indicating that the work reporting requirements are effective at removing people from health care but do not incentivize employment. Some Senate Republicans, such as Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen.
Rand Paul, R-Ky., have also publicly criticized the cuts. Hawley described the approach as “morally wrong and politically suicidal,” while Paul called it “a bad strategy,” suggesting that Republicans should have focused solely on tax reforms without involving Medicaid cuts. Despite the criticism, Johnson expressed confidence that the bill would advance to President Donald Trump’s desk by July 4.
“We’re going to get this done. The sooner the better,” he said, anticipating a celebration on Independence Day when the bill is signed into law. As the Senate considers the bill, the debate over its impact on Medicaid recipients and the healthcare system as a whole continues to intensify.
