Bulwark Takes Trump Country Is About to Get Hosed By GOP Lawmakers
May 7, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, Senior Correspondent at The Bulwark and writer of The Breakdown, joins Sam Stein to dissect the GOP's proposed Medicaid cuts. They explore how these cuts could adversely affect millions, especially rural Republican voters reliant on services. The conversation highlights the political fallout awaiting the GOP and the legislative complexities surrounding healthcare reforms. Additionally, Cohn addresses the looming threat these changes pose to low-income families, hinting at potential disenfranchisement amid the maneuvering in Washington.
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Medicaid Cuts Conflict GOP Coalition
- Republicans are pushing Medicaid cuts worth up to $900 billion over ten years to pay for tax cuts.
- Many on Medicaid are now part of the GOP's political coalition, especially rural Trump voters, creating conflict.
Frequent Eligibility Checks Risk Coverage
- Increasing frequency of Medicaid eligibility checks risks kicking off many eligible people due to paperwork and system issues.
- This attrition reduces coverage and causes insurance loss despite saving money.
Cost Sharing Cuts Medicaid Benefits
- Introducing premiums or cost-sharing for Medicaid recipients above poverty line targets very low-income workers who cannot afford health coverage.
- This is a subtle but blunt way to reduce Medicaid benefits for low-income people.