U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, delivered his opening statement at a hearing on Medicaid in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4.
Merkley began by thanking the committee chairman and witnesses. He criticized a recent Republican-backed bill, referring to it as a “Big Ugly Betrayal” that he said slashes more than $1 trillion from health care systems and removes over 15 million Americans from their health insurance while increasing out-of-pocket costs for millions more. “Why? To fund bigger tax breaks for billionaires. It’s Families Lose, Billionaires Win,” Merkley said.
Addressing concerns about fraud in Medicaid, Merkley said he is willing to work with others to address fraudulent practices through audits and enforcement, but argued that reducing coverage for low-income families does not address fraud and instead reduces access to health care for vulnerable populations. He accused the Trump Administration of protecting fraudsters by cutting funding for Medicaid Fraud Control Units and pardoning convicted individuals involved in fraudulent Medicare claims.
Merkley stated that Republican cuts have already resulted in more than eight million Americans losing their health insurance, including two million children who were removed from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He warned that these cuts lead people to delay necessary medical care, resulting in worse outcomes and higher costs down the line as clinics and hospitals lose revenue or close—especially affecting rural communities where facilities may be far apart.
He noted that as of April 2026, 216 hospitals and clinics had closed or reduced services due to these policy changes, with over 1,000 more at risk. Citing an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, Merkley said new requirements could end coverage for another 7.5 million enrollees through increased administrative hurdles and additional costs such as co-pays.
Merkley concluded by highlighting how these changes impact states like Oregon—where nearly 60 percent of children rely on Medicaid or CHIP—and described personal stories from constituents affected by service reductions. He called on lawmakers to reject policies he characterized as prioritizing wealthy interests over families’ needs.