A bill proposed by Republican lawmakers in the House late Sunday that aims to drastically cut Medicaid funding is being criticized as “a handout to the rich.”
The bill introduced stricter rules for recipients, including mandatory work requirements and more frequent eligibility reviews. Issued by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the proposal comes in advance of a likely lengthy committee hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
While the legislation did not provide detailed budget figures, it estimated potential savings of approximately $900 billion.
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Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that this action will result in approximately 13.7 million people losing their health insurance coverage by the year 2034.
Reacting to the news, Sen Ed Markey (D-Mass.) wrote on the social platform X: “Every dollar cut from Medicaid is a dollar ripped from health care and given to billionaires. Giving a handout to the rich while making it harder for millions of people to get health care is disastrous.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote: “Republicans just unveiled their ‘big, beautiful bill,’ which will take Medicaid & health insurance away from 13.7 million Americans, shutter hospitals & cause premiums to skyrocket across the country. Insane. Call your Member of Congress at 202-224-3121 and demand they vote NO.”
Matt McDermott wrote: “While America slept, House Republicans quietly unveiled their Medicaid plan. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says it strips health insurance from 13.7 million Americans.”
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Many social media users have also expressed concerns over the development.
User @ChetterHert wrote: “The House GOP has ‘unveiled’ its latest betrayal of working Americans: a bill to slash Medicaid and rip healthcare away from millions. Meanwhile, the wealthy elite enjoy tax breaks and private jets. This isn’t fiscal responsibility, its legislative cruelty!”
User @pinklionheart wrote: “I’m starting to think republicans lie.”
User @mashekjim wrote: “THEY. DON’T. CARE. Cruelty is the point.”
