House Bill Cuts Medicaid, Threatens 13 Million Nationwide

Medicaid remains a critical yet misunderstood component of the U.S. health care system, providing coverage for around 80 million Americans including working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The program faces significant challenges as Congress considers up to $880 billion in cuts, which would strip millions of eligibility and threaten hospitals and clinics, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Despite efforts to reduce stigma through state-specific program names, many enrollees are unaware they are on Medicaid, complicating public understanding and resistance to cuts. The Trump administration expanded federal spending significantly, including on entitlement programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, which together account for nearly 60% of the federal budget in 2025. These entitlement costs, along with interest on the national debt, represent the major drivers of federal spending, overshadowing discretionary spending cuts. Meanwhile, recent controversies such as the premature cancellation of health coverage for federal employees highlight ongoing administrative and policy struggles surrounding health care coverage.