• Senate Republicans passed a bill imposing unprecedented Medicaid cuts projected to reach $1 trillion by 2034.
• About 12 million Americans could lose their health insurance as a result of these cuts, according to CBO estimates.
• The measures include new work requirements and restrictions on state-leveled taxes that may lead to hospital closures.
• Controversially, both chambers of Congress aim to strip Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood.
• The Medicaid cuts have sparked fear among health advocates about the broader implications for healthcare access.

Senate Republicans have finalized the largest cuts to Medicaid since the program's inception, a move projected to significantly impact the healthcare coverage of over 70 million low-income Americans. The new bill, which aims to offset significant tax cuts and new spending, will reportedly slice about $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that this could leave an alarming 12 million Americans uninsured by 2034, a stark contrast to President Trump's pledges to protect the program, according to ABC News and The Hill.

The proposed bill features several controversial measures, including tight work requirements mandating that Medicaid beneficiaries work at least 80 hours a month to remain eligible, beginning in 2026. Senators have expressed concerns that many people, particularly older individuals and caregivers, may find it difficult to meet these new expectations, potentially resulting in coverage losses. According to health policy experts, these work mandates are projected to displace nearly 6 million individuals from Medicaid, reinforcing critics' claims that the legislation disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, as noted by ABC News, CBS News, and The Hill.

In addition to work requirements, the legislation will cap home equity limits for Medicaid applicants and enforce stricter eligibility checks. The Senate version specifically seeks to cut the value of assets that determine eligibility, lowering the threshold from a variable indexed to inflation to a flat rate of $1 million. This might lead to significant increases in eligible individuals getting disqualified, exacerbating coverage gaps, according to CBS News.

Further, both the House and Senate versions seek to restrict Medicaid funding for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which provides various health services unrelated to abortion. The Senate version would halt funds for a year, whereas the House version proposes a longer ban of ten years. This could limit health access for low-income individuals who rely on these services, as highlighted by CBS News and The Hill.

Health advocates warn that the proposed cuts will lead to widespread repercussions, including closures of rural hospitals and long-term care facilities, jeopardizing access to healthcare services for those in vulnerable regions. The effects may include higher medical debt for individuals who lose their insurance, resulting in deferred medical treatments that could exacerbate health issues and increase emergency room overcrowding, according to ABC News and The Hill.