Fierce Debate Breaks Out Over GOP Bill That Could Strip Millions of Medicaid Coverage

Shouts of "No cuts to Medicaid!" rang out well enough to hear over a live stream as the House Energy and Commerce Committee kicked off its markup hearing to discuss the controversial Republican-backed bill that would tighten Medicaid eligibility rules, introduce work requirements and freeze provider taxes.

Several demonstrators—some visibly living with disabilities—were escorted from the room after interrupting the session.

Committee Chairman and Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie warned the protestors they were at risk of arrest, citing rules against disruptions.

"I think hopefully everyone understands that these demonstrations, or people, feel very strongly because they know they're losing their healthcare,” the committee’s ranking member and a New Jersey Democrat, Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., said. “But I would just say we not arrest people if possible, because many of them are disabled, and I don't want to see them further hurt."

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held its markup hearing to discuss the controversial Republican-backed bill that would tighten Medicaid eligibility rules, introduce work requirements and freeze provider taxes.

Pallone then criticized Republicans for breaking what he described as repeated promises not to cut Medicaid.

“President Trump said, and I'm quoting, ‘Medicare, Medicaid—none of that stuff is going to be touched,’” he said. “House Speaker Johnson doubled down on that promise… Now I have to say, Mr. Chairman, those are promises that Republicans made to the American people, and it's clear that they have broken that promise.”

According to a recent estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the proposed bill could result in at least 13.7 million Americans losing health coverage, with 8.6 million losing Medicaid specifically.

Passing this bill could also lead to an additional 5 million consumers losing benefits through the Affordable Care Act marketplace due to related provisions.

“This is not a moderate bill,” Pallone said. “It is not focused on cutting waste, fraud and abuse. Instead, Republicans are intentionally taking healthcare away from millions of Americans so they can give giant tax breaks to the ultra-rich, who frankly, don't need them.”

Republicans defended the proposal as a necessary reform to preserve Medicaid for the most vulnerable.

Rep. Guthrie defended the legislation and said that those in favor “make no apologies for prioritizing Americans in need over illegal immigrants and those who are capable but choose not to work,” he said. “Our priority remains the same—strengthen and sustain Medicaid for those whom the program was intended to serve: expectant mothers, children, people with disabilities and the elderly.”

He argued the bill targets inefficiencies and fraud.

“We are prepared to stop the billions of dollars of waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program by beginning to rein in the loopholes, by ensuring states have the flexibility to remove ineligible recipients from their rolls and removing beneficiaries who are enrolled in multiple states.”

One of the bill’s other provisions sparking much debate is the introduction of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.

“Let me be clear,” Guthrie said, as many in the room fought for the Medicaid beneficiaries they feel are at risk of losing coverage. “These work requirements would only apply to able-bodied adults without dependents who don't have a disqualifying condition—to encourage them to re-enter the workforce and regain their independence.”

Guthrie stressed that the bill includes many exemptions, including being a parent or caretaker of someone with a disability, a veteran with a service-connected disability, someone with a substance use disorder, a serious medical condition, or other identified health challenges.

However, Democrats and advocates remained unconvinced.

Illinois Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky asked, “Can’t we afford to take care of our families that are living on the edge? We are the richest country in the world at the richest moment in history.”

Supporters of the bill argued that it protects and does not take away the spirit of Medicaid.

Florida Republican Rep. Kat Cammack dismissed criticism that the bill would harm those most vulnerable, whose countless stories and posters were shared during the hearing.

“Not a single person in those posters is going to be impacted by this legislation, not one,” Cammack said. “We all agree we want to protect those most vulnerable in our communities, but we should not be diverting resources to those who make the choice not to work.”

Alabama Republican Rep. Gary Palmer echoed Cammack’s message.

“The point is to make Medicaid work for the people who are supposed to get it,” he said.

The proposed changes come as Medicaid covers nearly 80 million low-income Americans.

As expressed by a number of representatives during the hearing, the program is the nation’s largest payer of long-term care, a key source of coverage for nearly half of all U.S. births, and a critical resource for children, seniors and those living with disabilities.

Although broader topics such as energy and environmental policy were also on the hearing’s agenda, it was Medicaid that dominated discussion.

“This bill would force someone who is disabled to fill out paperwork every month or risk losing coverage,” Pallone said. “And if they try to sign up for the Affordable Care Act, they’ll be blocked. Everything is being done to make sure people get kicked off so you can save money.”

The bill, unveiled by House Republicans Sunday night, aims to trim federal spending and was structured to avoid more extensive cuts, such as per-enrollee caps, that some conservatives previously pushed.

According to the CBO, the bill would reduce the deficit by $715 billion over the next decade, though critics argue the human cost is far too high.

Amongst the concerns and fears expressed over this bill during the hearing, Guthrie acknowledged defendants of keeping Medicaid as is.

“I appreciate my colleagues’ concerns, and we share them,” he said. “Every example that has been mentioned are the people we're trying to strengthen Medicaid for, not lose coverage under.”

As the debate goes on, the future of Medicaid and the millions of people who depend on it is still uncertain.