House Republicans Propose Medicaid Work Requirements, $880 Billion Cuts

House Republicans have unveiled a series of legislative proposals aiming to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients and make significant cuts to the program as part of a broader effort to fund President Trump's tax package. The legislation would require many able-bodied adults on Medicaid, and potentially SNAP recipients, to prove they are working, volunteering, or in school to maintain benefits, with the age limit for work requirements possibly extending up to 64 years old. Republicans argue these measures will reduce fraud, waste, and abuse, preserving Medicaid for those most in need, while critics warn that millions of vulnerable Americans could lose coverage due to complex reporting requirements and bureaucratic challenges, as evidenced by Georgia's costly Medicaid work requirement experiment. Congressional Budget Office estimates suggest that at least 13.7 million people could lose health insurance by 2034 under these proposals, which also aim to penalize states that allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in Medicaid. The debate is expected to be contentious, with Democrats opposing the cuts and proposing amendments, and internal GOP divisions potentially affecting the final package. Additionally, similar work requirement changes are being considered for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as part of the House's broader goal to achieve substantial savings in federal spending.