Senate GOP Eyes Medicare Changes for Tax Bill

Senate Republicans are weighing proposals to reduce Medicare spending as part of efforts to offset the cost of President Trump's tax and spending bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates will increase the national debt by $2.4–$3 trillion over the next decade. Efforts focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare Advantage, a privatized plan scrutinized for overpayments related to upcoding by insurers. Bipartisan measures like the 'No Upcode Act' aim to tighten oversight and achieve savings without cutting benefits. GOP leaders such as John Thune and Kevin Cramer support these efficiency efforts, while others, including Josh Hawley, warn of political risks. The House-approved bill avoided major changes to Medicare and instead targeted Medicaid, but the Senate remains open to Medicare-related savings. The debate reflects internal GOP divisions and the political sensitivity of altering Medicare.