In Washington, D.C., House Republicans have highlighted provisions in President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts that they say are designed to protect federal health care programs for the traditional Medicaid population. This group includes expectant mothers, children, low-income seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
The enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts emphasized the need for stronger safeguards within Medicaid to ensure its stability and focus on serving vulnerable Americans. According to Republican lawmakers, the law invests billions into long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities by creating new pathways for states to expand home and community-based services. They argue this investment will lead to a significant increase in long-term care spending while reducing reliance on more expensive acute care.
Republicans also maintain their opposition to policies they claim allow non-qualified individuals—including illegal immigrants and able-bodied adults who do not work—to access Medicaid resources. They state that these measures help prevent abuse of the system and ensure resources are directed toward those most in need.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said, “Time and again, Republicans have fought for strengthening, sustaining, and securing the Medicaid program for our most vulnerable Americans—expectant mothers, children, low-income seniors, and individuals living with disabilities. No matter how many times we emphasize the point, the truth of the Working Families Tax Cuts law stays the same: despite the claim of left-wing media, members of the traditional Medicaid population will not lose coverage due to this law. Republicans are enabling the Medicaid program to serve its intended purpose, and we will continue to fight for solutions that protect the program for generations to come.”
Health Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Griffith added: “House Republicans advanced a legislative product that lowers health care premiums, promotes community engagement and delivers fairness and accountability to our health care system. The Working Families Tax Cuts increases oversight efforts as part of a larger package of Medicaid program integrity measures to more precisely serve the traditional Medicaid and the Medicaid Expansion populations. Progressive Democrats and their Congressional allies are desperate as they try to pan the Working Families Tax Cuts as devastating to the traditional Medicaid population, which is not true! The traditional Medicaid population, which includes expectant mothers, low-income seniors, children and individuals with disabilities, is not affected by our bill!”
Dean Clancy from Americans for Prosperity commented: “AFP proudly supported the Working Families Tax Cut Act, and we’ll defend it to our dying day. With this landmark law, Republicans averted the biggest tax hike in American history, secured the border, and unleashed America’s energy abundance, and delivered on some of the most important, pro-patient health care reforms in a generation. We especially applaud Republicans for disregarding Democrats’ hyperbolic claims and histrionic scare tactics aimed at blocking any change to Medicaid, a vital part of our nation’s health care safety net. Years of Democratic neglect and profligacy have allowed Medicaid to become swollen with waste, fraud, and abuse including billions in ‘free’ health care for illegal immigrants. Republicans have come to the rescue preserving Medicaid for low-income disabled and other vulnerable Americans—refocusing it on those who need it most. And they did it without cutting benefits in any way. We also applaud the new law because it boldly advances a Personal Option—affordable health care you can trust,” said Senior Health Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity Dean Clancy.“Only a few months old it’s already increasing quality accessibility expanding access powerful tools like tax-free Health Savings Accounts exciting new options like direct primary care gives patients affordable round-the-clock access doctors trust—without insurance company meddling behalf thousands grassroots activists applaud President Trump fellow Republicans taking first big leap toward affordable personalized health care system Americans want deserve.”
Brian Blase from Paragon Health Institute stated: “The Working Families Tax Cuts rightfully refocuses Medicaid on low-income children pregnant women elderly disabled does this preserving federal health programs citizens lawful residents requires able-bodied working-age adults work go school volunteer receive benefits cracks down corporate-welfare schemes direct billions dollars wealthy politically connected insurers hospitals reduces waste fraud abuse divert resources truly need.”
Rachel K. Barkley from Able Americans explained: “As Director of Able Americans I’m encouraged see Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC) include two key provisions directly improve lives Americans disabilities.
First WFTC incorporates Helping Communities Better Support (HCBS) Act expands access Medicaid home- community-based services individuals disabilities caregivers provision increases transparency accountability waiting essential step dignity choice.
Next bill strengthens ABLE Accounts extending vital tax provisions help people disabilities save futures without fear losing benefits like Medicaid codifies $1 000 savers credit allows families roll over 529 education savings accounts into ABLE Accounts promoting financial security independence flexibility navigating work long-term needs.
Importantly WFTC protects future Medicaid most vulnerable intended serve adds critical protections against abuse adds community engagement requirement expansion-population able-bodied adults unable work because disability receiving medical included requirement,” said Director National Center’s Able Americans Program Rachel K Barkley.
Among other changes introduced by this legislation:
- The Rural Health Transformation Program provides $50 billion so states can support emergency room services labor delivery behavioral healthcare rural EMS training technology infrastructure.
- The law made what House Republicans describe as historic investments in Home Community Based Services vital seniors disabled.
- States now must conduct eligibility checks every six months particularly targeting able-bodied working-age adult enrollees; actions were taken prohibiting payments covering deceased or duplicate beneficiaries.
- The law limits states’ ability provide coverage non-citizens adjusts federal funding accordingly establishes work requirements able-bodied unemployed adults sets $1 million limit home value applicants ensures focus those greatest need reduces use financial maneuvers shift costs onto federal taxpayers holds states accountable.
For further details about Republican perspectives on these changes visit Fox News' coverage at https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-health-experts-push-back-democrats-medicaid-scare-tactics.
