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Welcome to logoff. Today, I focus on Donald Trump's mixed message about the fate of Medicaid, a low-income health insurance program that over 70 million Americans rely on.
Trump says a lot. Why is this important now? This is because House Republicans passed the bill on Tuesday, calling for $2 trillion cuts over 10 years. The bill calls on the committee that oversees Medicaid and Medicare to identify $880 billion in savings. Given that Medicare (healthcare for the elderly) is politically uncontrollable, it sounds like a call for a sudden cut in Medicaid.
Why focus on “scam”? Republicans are reluctant to propose a structural change to Medicaid, as it is not popular to cut taxes, while also cutting back on their health insurance from those who need it, especially for the wealthy. Instead, Trump and other top GOP officials have pledged to eradicate “fraud.” It's more politically appealing, but mathematics doesn't work. There are not enough scams in the system to get close to the extent of savings Republicans are looking for.
What's next? Is Medicaid reduction coming? It's too early to know. The House bill only sets the total number of taxes and spending cuts. GOP lawmakers will need to create another bill that will lay out what certain programs should be reduced. If Medicaid cuts enter that bill, it's a sign that the program is in the chopping block.
But even so, it's not certain that cutting will become law. Republicans only have a small majority in their homes. They basically have to find something their entire caucus can agree on. In short, low-income health insurance programs could emerge unharmed if even a few Republicans are alking to cut Medicaid.
And so, it's time to log off…
It's currently 62 degrees in DC, so if you're there, anything online that matches the mental value of going outside is not recommended. My heartfelt condolences if the weather isn't that good where you are. As a consolation award, here is a lovely essay about being in peace with ourselves and being incomplete, despite all of us being. Be careful today. Please come back here tomorrow.
