​Medicare and Medicaid Cuts: Does the Republican budget plan to cut $880 billion from health care? 

13/02/2025
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09:33
CSTThe new Republican administration is causing a lot of fear among those who benefit from government schemes, with Medicaid being a big one.Nearly 80 million Americans benefit from the government-funded insurance program, but a new budget proposal from House Republicans has raised serious concerns.Bobby Kogan, the senior director of Federal Budget Policy at American Progress shared his thoughts on X.”For Energy and Commerce, it’s mathematically impossible to achieve $880 billion in savings if you don’t cut Medicaid or Medicare. There’s not enough money they have jurisdiction over,” Kogan wrote on the social media platform. “Republicans say they’re not cutting Medicare, so that means they’re cutting Medicaid.”Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also shared her thoughts.”Republicans are putting Medicaid and SNAP on the chopping block in order to reward their billionaire donors and big corporations with tax breaks,” Pelosi wrote. “The American people cannot afford this extreme agenda.”What is certain is that the budget resolution does not explicitly say that there will be an $880bn cut to Medicaid.The Energy and Commerce Committee oversees Medicaid but it also oversees energy and climate programs, the Federal Communications Commission, food and drug safety and several more programs, meaning those elements could receive the heaviest cuts rather than healthcare.Medicaid is a crucial program providing healthcare to low-income individuals and families, but eligibility requirements can vary by state, making it essential to understand the criteria before applying. Medicaid eligibility is based on income, household size, and citizenship. Income thresholds are a key factor, measured as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).To qualify, applicants must also be U.S. citizens or legal residents, and some states have additional residency requirements. Medicaid typically categorizes applicants, which impacts eligibility. For instance, low-income children, pregnant women, and certain parents or caretakers of minor children may qualify more readily, given the program’s aim to support vulnerable groups.