Democrats: Americans' health on the line if Medicaid scaled back

Medicaid cuts would affect around 22 million people in states that expanded the program, according to a new analysis by the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

"The state-by-state breakdown shows that gutting the program would involve decimating rural communities across the country," the analysis reads. Ten states have not expanded Medicaid, as is allowed under the Affordable Care Act.

"Make no mistake, it’s not just Americans’ pocketbooks but also their health that’s on the line. Americans all over the country rely on Medicaid for health care coverage and these cuts would devastate families, including in many communities that carried Trump this election cycle," DNC Executive Director Sam Cornale said in a statement accompanying the analysis.

"If Trump follows through on these threats, Democrats will make sure those voters know exactly who is responsible.”

The DNC analysis links to a recent New York Times story revealing that top Republicans are passing around a series of ideas to cover the cost of a massive tax cut by establishing new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, bringing in $100 billion in savings.

The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion has given 22 million Americans access to health care. As of October 2024, more than 72 million people were enrolled in Medicaid in the U.S., according to the program's website.

President Trump’s order to freeze federal aid — issued Monday and rescinded Wednesday — led to concerns about the move's impact on government services, including Medicaid.

On Tuesday, Democrats reported that many state Medicaid payment systems were down, with the program’s Payment Management System (PMS) website warning of “payment delays.”

“Due to Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments, PMS is taking additional measures to process payments,” said a note on the website. “Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments.”

While states confirmed they had regained access to the portal by Tuesday afternoon, some reported ongoing issues.

A memo issued by the Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday stated Medicaid was among programs not affected by the funding freeze.

Despite that, Democrats raised concerns over the future of Medicaid.

"As Trump and his extreme allies in Congress plot to rip health care away from some 22 million Americans in order to offset their billionaire tax cuts, Democrats will fight back every step of the way," said the DNC's Wednesday statement.

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