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Almost two weeks have passed since the House of Representatives approved the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, a legislative effort aimed at strengthening Medicaid and cutting taxes for middle-class families. Yet, ongoing concerns from some Democrats continue to dominate the discourse.
This new legislation represents a significant leap forward. It aims to provide essential tax relief for working families, bolster American manufacturing, enhance energy independence, and protect healthcare programs vital for the most vulnerable Americans.
The commitment of House Republicans to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within the Medicaid program stands firm. This initiative prioritizes ensuring that expectant mothers, low-income seniors, and individuals with disabilities receive the care and coverage they deserve. Unfortunately, misleading claims from Democrats suggest that the changes proposed could lead to 13 million Americans losing access to essential healthcare.
The Congressional Budget Office has highlighted troubling statistics. Millions of ineligible individuals are currently enrolled in Medicaid, including 1.6 million who are receiving benefits from two states simultaneously, 1.4 million undocumented immigrants, and 1.2 million who no longer qualify. The data suggests that an estimated 4.8 million able-bodied adults without dependents would rather forfeit their Medicaid benefits than choose to work or contribute to their communities. Such misallocation of resources from legitimate beneficiaries jeopardizes those who genuinely need assistance.
By enacting the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” Republicans aim to fortify the Medicaid program by removing those ineligible and ensuring it serves the populations needing it most. When states can redirect funds away from ineligible recipients, they can reinvest in services for those genuinely in need.
As the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I assure you that pregnant women, children, seniors, and disabled individuals will remain protected under this legislation. During lengthy discussions in committee, Democrats often resorted to anecdotal stories, invoking fear instead of presenting factual data. They argued passionately about the vulnerable Americans reliant on Medicaid for their daily care. However, it is critical to underline that this new bill does not diminish their access to healthcare; instead, it reinforces protections for those most in need.
Ensuring that every vulnerable American has access to Medicaid is non-negotiable. House Republicans crafted this bill to realign state incentives, focusing on serving the truly vulnerable rather than individuals who do not meet eligibility criteria, which includes undocumented immigrants.
While Medicaid receives significant federal funding, states bear a substantial portion of the costs, contributing at least one-third of total expenses. This legislation seeks to reverse recent Biden-Harris policy changes that restricted states from removing ineligible individuals from their Medicaid rolls.
When mandates from Washington dictate state policies, it undermines their capacity to provide essential services to vulnerable populations. Our legislative proposal intends to restore that decision-making power. It includes sensible requirements for community engagement. For example, able-bodied adults without dependents must either work part-time, participate in educational programs, or engage in community service for at least 80 hours each month to qualify for Medicaid coverage.
Furthermore, the proposal dismantles problematic Biden-Harris regulations that imposed unrealistic staffing requirements on nursing homes, which had detrimental impacts on access to care. These regulations also made it nearly impossible for states to disenroll individuals who fraudulently obtained or incorrectly retained their Medicaid benefits.
The prudent policies outlined in the House bill aim to ensure that our Medicaid funding exclusively serves the populations it was established to protect. We have calculated that this initiative could lead to savings exceeding $1 trillion, yet this does not stifle the anticipated growth of the Medicaid program.
While the Committee’s savings aim to mitigate explosive growth, Medicaid enrollment is projected to increase by approximately 25% by the year 2034. In the coming decade, program spending is set to rise by more than $1 trillion beyond inflation. Remarkably, only Washington Democrats would categorize such funding increases as cuts.
Every dollar wasted on covering ineligible participants in Medicaid takes away from our children, pregnant women, seniors, and those with disabilities. It is disheartening to see Democrats prioritize political narratives over genuine support for Americans in need.
House Republicans stand resolute in their mission to enhance government programs afflicted by inefficiencies and mismanagement. We continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us, fully committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars serve those who truly require assistance.
Focusing on Our Most Vulnerable
As we move forward, it is crucial to remain grounded in our commitment to protect the individuals Medicaid was designed to serve. Clear facts will prevail against the narratives of fear and misinformation that some may spread. A genuine investment in our vulnerable populations will lead to a stronger and more equitable healthcare system.
