A dozen House Republicans are pushing back against their own party’s leadership, warning that proposed Medicaid cuts in the GOP’s budget plan could devastate rural healthcare and vulnerable communities.
At a Glance
- Twelve House Republicans oppose GOP-led Medicaid cuts
- Lawmakers warn cuts could cripple rural hospitals and care access
- Speaker Mike Johnson pledges to fight fraud, not coverage
- GOP plan includes $880 billion in long-term budget cuts
Republicans Push Back
Twelve House Republicans—largely from swing and rural districts—have sent a forceful letter to party leaders rejecting any cuts to Medicaid as part of the GOP’s reconciliation budget plan. The group, led by Reps. David Valadao and Don Bacon, warned that slashing Medicaid would have “catastrophic effects” on healthcare delivery in underserved areas and pledged to oppose any final bill containing such provisions.
In their letter addressed to Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the lawmakers wrote that budget discipline “must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security,” emphasizing that hospitals, nursing homes, and safety-net providers would face dire consequences, as reported by the American Hospital Association.
Watch C-SPAN’s report on the incident at House Republicans push back on Medicaid cuts.
Johnson’s Stance on Cuts
Speaker Johnson has publicly denied that the GOP budget will slash Medicaid, instead stating the focus will be on rooting out fraud and abuse. According to Axios, Johnson reaffirmed that the party’s goal is to ensure Medicaid remains available for those who need it, without compromising fiscal goals.
But despite Johnson’s assurances, the broader GOP budget aims to reduce federal spending by $880 billion over ten years, a plan that budget experts and critics say would almost certainly impact Medicaid coverage. As Politico reports, Republicans have struggled to reconcile those savings with their promise to protect essential health services.
Johnson’s statement aligns him with the moderate GOP dissenters, but policy specifics remain unclear as the reconciliation process continues. As highlighted by Business Insider, the Trump-endorsed budget blueprint has sparked infighting between fiscal hawks and lawmakers concerned about healthcare access.
Hospitals and Rural Impact
One of the key concerns raised by the dissenting Republicans is the viability of rural hospitals and nursing facilities. Many institutions rely on Medicaid for more than half their operating revenue. As reported by The Epoch Times, any funding reduction would threaten closures and workforce cuts in already underserved areas.
Lawmakers advocate for targeted reforms rather than blanket cuts, aiming to enhance efficiency and tighten eligibility without reducing benefits for low-income or elderly Americans. This internal GOP dispute serves as a test of priorities: balancing the federal budget while safeguarding healthcare for vulnerable communities. The ongoing reconciliation negotiations will determine if the GOP can unite its factions without losing moderates or jeopardizing essential medical services.
