Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., in an opinion piece Wednesday defended the cuts to Medicaid included in the Republican-led domestic policy bill under consideration by the Senate as necessary to "strengthen" the program.
The Senate Finance Committee on Monday released a measure to the GOP domestic policy bill still being debated by the Upper Chamber of Congress that would significantly cut Medicaid and impose various requirements on those who receive benefits from the program.
Barrasso, who was a practicing medical doctor for more than two decades before entering politics, claims in his article that "Medicaid has stretched beyond its intended purpose" and provides coverage to too many people.
"As a result, Medicaid is broken, bloated and ballooning. It will go bankrupt if we don't strengthen it now," he wrote. "The Republican reconciliation bill will strengthen Medicaid for those it was originally intended."
The senator notes that the bill would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid services, "roots out waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption," and would enact "work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults."
Barrasso added that "the 1.4 million illegal immigrants on Medicaid," which is less than 2% of the 71 million people on Medicaid in total, according to the senator, "strangles Medicaid ... filling up waiting rooms and clinics" and making "it harder for Americans to receive the care they need."
He concluded, "Republicans are rescuing this lifeline so that it serves those who need it most — now and in the future."
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.