Key Takeaways:
- President Trump’s budget director claims no one will lose health coverage under the new bill.
- Sen. Tina Smith disputes this, citing a report showing 13.7 million could lose insurance by 2034.
- The bill slashes funding for Medicaid and food stamps, causing widespread criticism.
- House Republicans barely passed the bill, but Senate Republicans are pushing for major changes.
- Even Trump ally Elon Musk has criticized the plan, warning it could worsen the national deficit.
The Debate Over Medicaid Cuts Heats Up
A fiery debate is unfolding in Washington over President Trump’s new budget plan, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. The proposal aims to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medicaid and food stamps, sparking concern among lawmakers and critics alike. At the heart of the argument is a simple question: Will these cuts hurt people who rely on these programs?
Russ Vought, Trump’s budget director, insists the answer is no. During a recent interview, he claimed, “No one will lose coverage as a result of this bill.” Vought argues that the plan is designed to protect those who depend on Medicaid while making the program more efficient.
But not everyone is buying that claim. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) quickly fired back, saying, “Math is hard… but Google is free.” She shared a screenshot of a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which predicts that 13.7 million people could lose their health insurance by 2034 if the bill becomes law. The CBO, trusted for its neutral analysis, found that cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act would have a devastating impact on millions of Americans.
The House Passes the Bill, But the Senate Isn’t Convinced
The bill barely passed in the House of Representatives after intense negotiations. Moderate Republicans from high-tax states clashed with far-right lawmakers who wanted even deeper cuts. Despite the challenges, House Republicans managed to push the bill through.
However, the Senate is proving to be a tougher hurdle. Several Republican senators are demanding significant changes to the bill. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) warned that the new work requirements for Medicaid would be “devastating” for her home state. Alaska, like many rural areas, relies heavily on Medicaid to cover low-income residents and those with disabilities.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) dismissed the CBO’s findings, calling the office “biased.” He pointed to the agency’s analysis of the 2017 Trump tax bill, which he claims was inaccurate. But critics argue that the deficit actually grew more than the CBO predicted after those tax cuts were passed.
Criticism From Unexpected Places
The backlash against the One Big Beautiful Bill isn’t just coming from Democrats. Elon Musk, a longtime ally of Trump, has also weighed in. The tech billionaire slammed the plan, saying it would make the national deficit worse. Musk’s comments add fuel to the fire, as even supporters of the president are expressing doubts about the bill’s impact.
What’s Next for the Bill?
As the Senate debates the One Big Beautiful Bill, it’s unclear whether it will pass in its current form. Republican senators like Murkowski are pushing for major changes, and some are even threatening to block the bill altogether. If the Senate fails to reach an agreement, the plan could stall, leaving the future of Medicaid and food stamps uncertain.
For now, the debate over the One Big Beautiful Bill shows no signs of slowing down. With millions of Americans potentially losing health coverage on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Stay tuned as this story continues to unfold.