Key Takeaways:

• House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accuses Republicans of misleading the public on Medicaid cuts.
• The recently passed budget resolution could lead to $880 billion in Medicaid cuts.
• States are taking legislative action to safeguard Medicaid funding amidst proposed federal reductions.
• Experts warn that severe cuts could destabilize healthcare systems, particularly affecting low-income and vulnerable populations.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has publicly accused Republican leaders of misleading the public regarding potential cuts to Medicaid during a recent press briefing in the Capitol. Jeffries stated, “Republicans are lying to the American people about Medicaid,” as the House GOP prepares a budget proposing a drastic $2 trillion reduction over the next decade, which includes a directive for the Energy and Commerce Committee to identify at least $880 billion in spending cuts, primarily focusing on Medicaid.

Despite the absence of explicit references to Medicaid in the budget proposal, Democrats argue that the cuts would harm essential health programs, especially affecting children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Representative Brendan Boyle (Pa.) highlighted that achieving such extensive budget reductions without targeting Medicaid is nearly impossible, saying: "They have to, as a minimum, cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid.”

The debate around Medicaid cuts has intensified as House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump's administration claim that efforts will focus on reducing waste and fraud in the program, rather than cutting benefits directly. Johnson remarked, “Everybody is committed to preserving [Medicaid] benefits,” while Trump has insisted that he will not cut the program, although he has mentioned eliminating what he deems as improper usage, including cases of "illegal aliens" benefiting from taxpayer-funded Medicaid programs.

The ramifications of potential cuts extend far beyond the Capitol. Experts such as Mariana Socal from Johns Hopkins stress the vital role Medicaid plays for many vulnerable populations, warning that cuts could not only strip individuals of necessary medical coverage but also jeopardize healthcare systems nationwide. As of now, Medicaid covers over 72 million Americans, providing essential services including nursing home care and support for individuals with disabilities. According to a report by ABC News, cutting costs could jeopardize funding for critical facilities like nursing homes, which currently rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements.

As the state-level reaction grows, several legislatures have begun to craft measures aimed at preserving Medicaid funding. In Oregon, House lawmakers have already passed a bipartisan bill to secure ongoing funding for the Oregon Health Plan. Similar discussions have arisen in states like New Hampshire and Nevada, where both Democratic and Republican leaders have expressed concern over the potential chaos that significant cutbacks would cause to local health services. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo warned that abrupt federal reductions could destabilize care and lead to closures of healthcare facilities, which are already struggling under fiscal pressure.

The proposed budget resolution now heads to the Senate, where it is set to face intense scrutiny and opposition from Democrats. With substantial control over the Senate, Republicans may attempt to push through these cuts, yet the backlash from both public and health specialists is likely to grow.

Read more about the implications of these developments from the Newsweek and Newsweek.