Medicaid cuts are at risk as House Republicans prepare to vote on a crucial spending proposal central to Donald Trump’s agenda. The budget plan faces significant hurdles, with nearly $1 trillion in potential Medicaid cuts threatening to divide the narrow Republican majority.
The fiscal year 2025 proposal includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts while boosting defense and border security spending. To balance costs, congressional committees must identify $2 trillion in reductions over the next decade.
Lawmakers warn that Medicaid cuts could reach $800 billion, impacting over 72 million Americans who rely on the program for healthcare. Although the resolution does not explicitly target medical aid reductions, skeptics argue there are limited alternatives to meet the $880 billion in reductions assigned to the energy and commerce committee.
If the budget measure fails to pass by the March 14 deadline, a government shutdown looms. House Democrats remain firm in their opposition. “Let me be clear, House Democrats will not provide a single vote to this reckless Republican budget,” declared House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, standing with lawmakers and advocates at the U.S. Capitol.
With Democrats united against the bill, House Speaker Mike Johnson can afford only one Republican defection. However, several moderate Republicans, particularly those from districts where constituents heavily depend on these reductions, have expressed reservations.
Eight House Republicans, including Representatives David Valadao and Nicole Malliotakis, warned Johnson that slashing these would severely affect rural and Hispanic communities. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon has demanded assurances that the budget “won’t overly cut Medicaid cuts.”
Public opposition to Medicaid cuts has intensified. During last week’s recess, town halls and congressional offices saw backlash against proposed reductions to Medicaid cuts and social programs.
At a Capitol Hill rally, Senator Chris Murphy criticized the budget, calling it “the largest transfer of wealth from working families to billionaires in history.” He warned that Medicaid cuts would lead to hospital closures and loss of addiction treatment services nationwide.
As the House vote approaches, Republican leadership must balance demands for tax reductions, spending reductions, and medical aid protections. “This is high stakes,” Johnson admitted. “We need prayers to get this done.”
