Congress Plans $880 Billion Cuts to Medicaid, School Programs

The U.S. House is poised to vote on a budget resolution that could significantly cut Medicaid funding, potentially impacting millions of enrollees. The plan, backed by Speaker Mike Johnson, includes up to $880 billion in mandatory spending cuts, primarily affecting Medicaid, which currently serves over 72 million Americans. Concerns have been raised by various advocacy groups and local officials, particularly in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, where board members warned that cuts could jeopardize necessary services for over 17,000 students with disabilities and affect school meal programs for more than 40,000 students. Critics argue that these proposed cuts echo previous unsuccessful attempts to reform Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. While Johnson claims the bill is not specifically targeting Medicaid, experts suggest that the majority of the cuts will disproportionately affect this critical program. The outcome of the vote is crucial, as it can reshape the landscape of healthcare and nutrition support for vulnerable populations across the country.