Scott Perry assures Medicaid coverage remains for 'legitimate' recipients

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) assured that individuals 'legitimately' on Medicaid will not lose their coverage due to proposed GOP budget cuts during an interview on NewsNation's 'The Hill Sunday.' However, he indicated that undocumented immigrants receiving Medicaid could be affected by the cuts, asserting that federal assistance should be reserved for American citizens in need. Perry's comments came amid a discussion about the federal government's improper payment rate, which is reported to be about 4%, amounting to $31 billion in Medicaid. He emphasized the need to address what he views as fraud, waste, and abuse within the system, particularly concerning states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. When pressed about the Medicaid coverage for working-class families, Perry refrained from guaranteeing its protection, suggesting a need to investigate all aspects of the program further. This response has raised concerns about the potential impact on those benefitting from recent Medicaid expansions.