Medicaid at stake as budget plan goes to senate

A narrowly passed House budget resolution is setting up a major fight over Medicaid.

CNN– A narrowly passed House budget resolution is setting up a major fight over Medicaid. The proposal, backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), includes $880 billion in health and energy cuts over a decade, with Johnson arguing Medicaid is plagued by fraud and waste. “Medicaid is is hugely problematic because it has a lot of fraud, waste and abuse.”

While President Trump opposes Medicare cuts, moderates warn Medicaid reductions may be unavoidable. Democrats say the plan would hurt seniors, nursing homes, and essential programs. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) commented on the plan  stating “That means not only probably throwing millions of kids off health insurance” he said, “it means also making major cutbacks for nursing homes.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), also commented stating,  “They want to pay for it on the backs of seniors who are living in nursing homes,” she said  “They want to do it on the backs of Meals on Wheels. They want to do it on the backs of hot lunches for kids.”

Republicans insist reforms won’t eliminate core services. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) responded to criticism by stating “I’m not going to throw granny off the cliff and, and people who really need Medicaid and depend upon that for their health.”