Bulwark Takes The GOP’s Healthcare Flimflammery Is The New Big Lie
Jun 1, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, author of The Breakdown newsletter, dives deep into the GOP's Medicaid messaging and its implications for millions. He exposes how claims of fraud mask a strategy aimed at gutting coverage and discusses the real impacts of proposed cuts. Cohn emphasizes that most Medicaid recipients are working individuals or caregivers, challenging common misconceptions. The conversation critiques misleading fiscal policies and champions the critical need for health insurance access for vulnerable populations.
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False Claim of No Coverage Losses
- The claim that no one will lose Medicaid coverage from the bill is a bold-faced lie.
- The CBO estimates over 7 million people will lose health insurance due to cuts in Medicaid and Obamacare.
Medicaid Expansion Legitimacy
- Medicaid was designed for low-income people but expanded to cover more through legislation.
- Denying this expansion ignores legitimate congressional and state actions that broadened Medicaid's scope.
Deficit Increases With Tax Cuts
- The bill increases the deficit by about $1.4 trillion, largely due to tax cuts for the wealthy.
- Cuts to programs like Medicaid and food assistance balance these tax cuts, causing harm to vulnerable populations.