House Republicans Advance Medicaid Reforms Expected to Reduce Coverage for Millions

House Republicans are advancing a controversial budget proposal that includes significant changes to Medicaid, framed by GOP leaders as "reforms" but widely criticized as cuts that would reduce healthcare access for millions. Republicans plan to implement work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks, targeting able-bodied, childless adults, with the goal of saving hundreds of billions over several years, though this would likely lead to over 10 million losing coverage. GOP lawmakers, including Rep. Jason Smith, have been criticized for inadvertently admitting these are cuts despite party assurances to protect Medicaid. Democrats argue the changes would harm vulnerable populations, leading to hospital closures and increased premiums, while Republicans defend the measures as necessary to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse and fund tax cuts for higher earners. Internal GOP tensions persist, with some conservatives pushing for earlier implementation of work requirements and disagreements over related tax provisions such as the SALT deduction cap. The debate exposes deep partisan and ideological divides over how to balance fiscal priorities with healthcare access for low-income Americans.