Budget plan proposed by Rep. Jeff Hurd aims to maintain Medicaid's fundamental intent.

Budget plan proposed by Rep. Jeff Hurd aims to maintain Medicaid's fundamental intent.

GOP House speaker Mike Johnson and his slim majority face an uphill battle as they attempt to pass President Trump's budget, due to the unpopularity of Medicaid cuts among both the public and their own party members.

The KFF's April poll reveals that both Republicans and Democrats broadly oppose funding cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. About 76% of the public overall stands against major Medicaid cuts.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office suggests that if Republicans want to achieve their desired savings, they will likely have to make cuts to the social safety net program that provides health insurance to low-income adults and people with disabilities.

The prospect of deep Medicaid cuts has prompted 12 House Republicans to send a letter to House Speaker Johnson, stating they would not support a final reconciliation budget bill if it reduces Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations. Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., one of the 12 signatories, believes the focus should be on "preserving the original purpose of Medicaid." Hurd emphasizes that the attention should be on children, pregnant women, low-income individuals, and seniors.

Nearly one-third of Hurd's congressional district relies on Medicaid. Hurd suggests that savings can come from work requirements and stopping "improper" Medicaid payments.

During an interview with NPR, Hurd clarified that his district focuses on preserving Medicaid for its intended purpose: providing healthcare for low-income groups, such as children, seniors who are dual enrolled in Medicare, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and families who cannot afford private insurance.

Among the targeted reforms Hurd supports are re-evaluating the continued federal subsidization of able-bodied working-age adults under the Affordable Care Act expansion. Hurd believes work requirements should be considered to protect Medicaid while avoiding overlapping priorities with traditional populations.

Hurd acknowledges concerns about forcing people out of the program through work requirements but suggests that incentivizing people who are able to work, to work, and not rely on assistance from taxpayers is essential. He also suggests addressing the benefits cliff, where an individual gets a job and then loses Medicaid benefits, to create better incentives for work.

Critics argue that work requirements may turn out to be a backdoor way to force people out of the program, but Hurdcontends that he wants to encourage individuals who are able to work and not need to rely on assistance from taxpayers. Hurd suggests that savings can also come from eliminating improper Medicaid payments by modernizing delivery systems and focusing on program integrity.

Hurd is concerned that Medicaid accounts for about 10% of the federal budget, and if it’s important to preserve access to this program, the savings must come from areas like work requirements, eliminating improper payments, and reforming Section 1115 waivers that fund non-healthcare services like housing stipends or nutrition benefits. Rural Colorado residents face significant stress on Medicaid, and Hurd believes that the solution may lie in delivering these dollars in a more effective way.

The same letter also supports cutting administrative red tape to prevent overbilling scandals or payments for services that don't exist. However, critics argue that adding more paperwork can create a maddening experience when dealing with health insurance, making it difficult to find the right balance between red tape reduction and program integrity.

In conclusion, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson and his slim majority face tough challenges in passing President Trump's budget due to unpopular Medicaid cuts, even within their own party. Rep. Jeff Hurd, along with 11 other House Republicans, has taken a public stand by signing a letter opposing Medicaid coverage reductions for vulnerable populations and advocating for targeted reforms and program integrity to protect the most vulnerable in their districts. Hurd's proposals for work requirements, eliminating improper payments, and modernizing administrative systems could signal the direction of future Republican-backed Medicaid reforms.

1. The GOP House speaker Mike Johnson's plan to pass President Trump's budget faces opposition due to unpopular Medicaid cuts among both the public and Republican party members.
2. According to a KFF poll, about 76% of the public opposes major Medicaid cuts, and both Republicans and Democrats broadly share this sentiment.
3. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office suggests that the Republican's desired savings may require cuts to the social safety net program, Medicaid, which provides health insurance to low-income adults and people with disabilities.
4. Twelve House Republicans, including Jeff Hurd, have written a letter to House Speaker Johnson, stating they will not support a final budget bill if it reduces Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations.
5. Hurd advocates for savings from work requirements and stopping "improper" Medicaid payments, while preserving Medicaid for its intended purpose: healthcare for low-income groups.
6. Hurd's district, nearly one-third of which relies on Medicaid, focuses on providing healthcare for children, seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities.
7. Hurd's proposals for work requirements, eliminating improper payments, and modernizing administrative systems could shape future Republican-backed Medicaid reforms, with the aim of preserving access to this program for the most vulnerable populations.

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