The Brian Lehrer Show Healthcare and the Federal Budget Bill
Jul 2, 2025
Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent for KFF Health News and host of What the Health?, dives deep into the ramifications of proposed federal budget bills on healthcare access. She discusses potential Medicaid cuts that could leave millions uninsured and the challenges posed by work requirements on vulnerable populations. The conversation also highlights state-level experiences, particularly from Arkansas, and examines the impact on programs like Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, stressing the risks of reversing healthcare advancements in the U.S.
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Reconciliation Bill Shrinks Coverage
- The Senate's reconciliation bill aims to reduce health coverage, a rare use of such legislation which typically expands coverage.
- It targets Medicaid cuts, tighter eligibility, work rules, and lets ACA subsidy enhancements expire, potentially increasing the uninsured by millions.
Arkansas Medicaid Work Requirement Fail
- Arkansas implemented Medicaid work requirements causing many recipients to lose coverage due to administrative reporting failures.
- Most people on Medicaid qualify by working, schooling, or caregiving; the issue was proving compliance, not inability to work.
Millions Could Lose Insurance
- The reconciliation bill and expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies could result in 16-17 million Americans losing health insurance.
- The majority impacted include those gaining coverage through increased ACA marketplace subsidies since 2021.