Republicans in targeted seats suggest they’re ‘comfortable’ with $500 billion in Medicaid cuts

Washington D.C. - As Congress tries to figure out its new budget, Republicans in unsafe seats have suggested they’re ‘comfortable’ with $500 billion in Medicaid cuts.

Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid spending, were initially instructed to reduce its budget by $880 billion. Republican Representative Don Bacon has stated he won’t vote for any package if it includes more than $500 billion in cuts.

What will Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra support? Are they willing to vote for $500 billion in Medicaid cuts despite what it will mean for Iowa hospitals?

“Medicaid cuts at this level will force rural Iowa hospitals to close and make it harder for every Iowan to access healthcare. This will leave rural Iowans with nowhere to turn and our state – which already leads the nation in new cancer rates – will end up sicker. Let me be clear, a solution won’t just magically appear. Iowans will find it harder to access medical care so Republicans can make room for the tax cuts Trump wants to give to his billionaire buddies,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart.