Republican Tax Bill Cuts Medicaid, Risks 11 Million Losing Coverage

President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," a top legislative priority, proposes significant Medicaid cuts that could result in millions losing health coverage, including about 8 million from Medicaid alone due to new work requirements. While Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley, defend these changes as necessary to reduce waste and encourage work among able-bodied adults, critics argue the bill would disproportionately harm low- and middle-income households, making them worse off while benefiting the wealthiest 10 percent. Research highlights that the Medicaid cuts could push over 300 rural hospitals toward closure, threatening healthcare access in vulnerable communities across states such as Kentucky, Louisiana, California, and Oklahoma. Analyses also show that hospitals in states governed by both parties would face severe financial strain, as nearly 11 million people would become uninsured under the bill, reducing hospital revenues and service capacity. The legislation's potential to add $3 trillion to the national debt has caused divisions among Republicans, with some seeking more generous child tax credits despite cost concerns, and others warning of the political risks tied to cutting vital healthcare programs that serve about 80 million Americans. This complex dynamic reflects tensions within the GOP between appealing to working-class voters and pursuing tax policies favoring affluent households, raising questions about the bill's broader social and political impact.