The Opinions Trump May Get His ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ but the G.O.P. Will Pay a Price
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Jul 1, 2025 
In this discussion, David Leonhardt, Director of the New York Times editorial board, dives into the potential fallout from President Trump’s ambitious legislative proposal. He analyzes the controversial Medicaid cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy, revealing the Republican Party's internal strife. Leonhardt emphasizes the political risks of implementing unpopular health policies as midterms approach and points out how these issues may fuel Democratic criticism. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of economic inequality stemming from the proposed tax cuts.
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Work Requirements Harm Medicaid Access
- The bill enforces work requirements on Medicaid, increasing the risk of losing health care due to bureaucratic hurdles.
- This leads to millions losing access to health coverage, even those who are employed, underlining a rollback of Obamacare progress.
Medicaid Cuts Fund Tax Breaks
- Republicans want to pay for tax cuts mainly by cutting Medicaid, targeting health care for the poor and middle class.
- They avoid cuts to military and Social Security, focusing spending reductions where politically and practically feasible.
Tax Cuts Widen Inequality and Debt
- Extending the 2017 tax cuts mainly benefits the wealthy, continuing rising income inequality.
- The health care cuts barely cover these tax cuts, substantially increasing the national debt.