One Big Beautiful Bill or a Ball of BS?

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  1. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 5 months ago

    On Tuesday, Trump lauded a House budget blueprint that may enable Congress to pass much of his legislative agenda in what he called “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.” That budget, which passed a committee vote and could hit the House floor as soon as next week, lays out targets for legislation that would extend tax cuts and increase the federal deficit. It would also almost certainly make major cuts to programs that serve the poor.


    https://hubstatic.com/17390393_f1024.jpg

    The Cuts

    Medicaid is likely to be the largest target for cuts to achieve the $880 billion in budget savings set out in the legislation.

    But the committee also has the ability to include cuts to Medicare, and may also be able to find some savings by reversing Biden-era regulations.

    Education and Work Force
    Cut by at least $330 billion...
    The instructions could require cuts to nearly half of all spending on programs the committee can consider.

    The biggest category of spending for the committee is school nutrition programs. The budget document also suggested some cuts to school breakfasts, and to lunch programs for schools that serve low-income children. 

    Agriculture
    Cut by at least $230 billion
    The bulk of the spending overseen by the committee is on food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and most of the rest is on farm programs like crop insurance. If the cuts hit the programs overseen by the committee equally, it would amount to a 13 percent cut. If they were directed to SNAP alone, that would amount to a 21 percent cut.

    Spending increases:

    The budget also includes a small amount of increased spending, primarily focused on border security and the military. 

    The largest spending item:

    Tax cuts

    Up to $4.5 trillion in tax reductions
    Extending $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts passed during the first Trump administration represents the biggest policy priority in the bill, both in emphasis and dollars.

    The budget would allow the tax-writing Ways and Means committee to decrease federal revenue by as much as $4.5 trillion over a decade, an allowance that may mean new tax cuts, too.

    The tax cut extension  benefits the wealthiest taxpayers the most, in raw dollars and as a share of their income.

    Deficits and debt

    Because the tax cuts and spending increases significantly outweigh the spending cuts in the budget, it would directly add $2.8 trillion to deficits over the next 10 years. (It could ultimately add an estimated $3.4 trillion to the national debt because of the costs associated with increased borrowing.) Tables released with the House bill assume aggressive economic growth that would help cover the bulk of this increase, but budget experts say the assumptions are unrealistic.

    Also included in the bill: a $4 trillion increase to the debt limit.

    For me, This budget plan reflects a stark betrayal of Trump’s campaign promises to protect families who struggle financially while providing tax windfalls for the wealthy...

    1. Credence2 profile image81
      Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

      “For me, This budget plan reflects a stark betrayal of Trump’s campaign promises to protect families who struggle financially while providing tax windfalls for the wealthy...”


      We could all have seen this months before Trumps election without looking. Many of the dupes that voted for him will feel the pain as this budget will adversely affect them. It will be no less than what they deserve. The only sad part is that innocents will be within the blast radius.

      So much for the BS of the Republicans being the fiscally responsible party…..

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

        Doge running around indiscriminately slashing at programs and agencies is all in service of making this ludicrous budget seem palatable to people.   I think it will fail in this form. Republicans are already quivering in their boots to bring this garbage to their constituents.   We will see what they will be able to get over on the American people .   The resistance is growing though.

        1. Credence2 profile image81
          Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

          The resistance is growing though.

          Cheer me up, where do you see resistance?

          1. Willowarbor profile image61
            Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

            Well we  have  some Republicans voicing concerns, going on record opposing the drastic cuts to Medicaid.   And in the last few days there has been quite a backlash at Town Halls in Republican districts.  The representatives are being blindsided by angry constituents that are spilling over into overflow rooms.  Lots of heated exchanges concerning Musk's role, Trump's overreach and broken promises. 

            Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) faced a large and testy audience at a town hall on Thursday, with Reps. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) also getting heated questioning.
            Swing-district Reps. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) and Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) all had demonstrations outside their offices.

            A lot of folks saying we didn't vote for THIS


            https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congre … rcna193164

            https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-ra … al-2034011

    2. tsmog profile image75
      tsmogposted 5 months agoin reply to this

      Adding to with what I have read recently

      House Budget Allows At Least $2.8 Trillion of Deficit Increases by The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (Feb 21, 2025)
      https://www.crfb.org/blogs/house-budget … -increases

      "The House of Representatives will soon consider a budget resolution for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which was reported favorably out of the House Budget Committee on February 13. The budget’s reconciliation instructions pave the way for a bill that could add at least $2.8 trillion to deficits through FY 2034, or $3.4 to $4 trillion of debt including interest costs.

      In this piece, we explain that:

      ** The marked-up House budget allows lawmakers to add at least $2.8 trillion to deficits through FY 2034 or $3.4 trillion including interest.

      ** As a result of this debt increase, debt held by the public would reach 125 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by FY 2034, compared with 117 percent under current law.

      ** Deficits under the House budget would average 6.8 percent of GDP over the decade, compared with 5.8 percent under current law.

      https://usercontent2.hubstatic.com/17390433_f520.jpg

  2. Sharlee01 profile image83
    Sharlee01posted 5 months ago

    This entire rant is built on speculation, assumptions, and worst-case scenario predictions without actual evidence. First, Trump has been in office for only a month, and none of these proposed changes have been enacted. A House budget blueprint is not the same as actual legislation, and Congress still has to negotiate and pass any spending plans. Claiming that this budget is a "betrayal" of Trump's promises is premature at best and disingenuous at worst.

    The claim that Medicaid will face massive cuts is based on a general budget outline, not finalized policy. The reality is that budget plans often suggest potential savings, but that doesn't mean every proposed cut will happen as written. Similarly, the claim that school nutrition programs will be slashed is another assumption. There’s a huge difference between suggesting budget adjustments and gutting essential services. The idea that Trump’s administration is going after low-income school lunches is an emotional appeal rather than a factual argument.

    The tax cuts argument is also misleading. Tax relief is a fundamental part of Trump’s economic plan, designed to stimulate growth and benefit businesses and workers alike. The notion that tax cuts only benefit the wealthy ignores how they impact job creation, wages, and investment. Moreover, projections about deficits and debt are based on economic models that often fail to account for the positive effects of economic expansion. Trump’s policies in his first term led to significant economic growth, and similar strategies are being pursued again.

    This entire critique assumes that Trump's supporters didn’t expect him to pursue these policies. That’s simply not true. His base elected him precisely because they wanted tax cuts, stronger border security, and economic policies that prioritize growth over government handouts. Jumping to conclusions about what will happen a decade from now while ignoring the full legislative process is nothing more than political fearmongering. Let’s deal with actual results, not doomsday predictions.  Your OP offers no soucres.

    1. Credence2 profile image81
      Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

      Do you take issue with the data presented by Willow? Being factual and looking at the big picture, only you are saying that it is "emotional". Prove that the information she presented is incorrect before an attack on its content. Why is it wrong beyond your just saying so?

      1. wilderness profile image77
        wildernessposted 5 months agoin reply to this

        Doesn't everyone (take issue with the "data")?  Does anyone, even you and Willow, actually believe that Trump will reduce income twice what he reduced spending, after making such an issue of cutting our deficit?

        1. Credence2 profile image81
          Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

          Where is your evidence to refute it or is just more of YOUR OPINION?

          1. wilderness profile image77
            wildernessposted 5 months agoin reply to this

            My opinion?  I merely asked if anyone could believe the fairy story, with no indication that it was not true.

            How about you?  Do you actually think Trump has that in mind?  I mean yes, TDS may be strong, but it doesn't take a genius to understand that it won't work...and regardless of TDS Trump is not stupid.

            1. Credence2 profile image81
              Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

              "How about you?  Do you actually think Trump has that in mind?  I mean yes, TDS may be strong, but it doesn't take a genius to understand that it won't work...and regardless of TDS Trump is not stupid."

              I don't trust anything Trump says. Trump is stupid in my opinion. I am going to trust the New York Times data over fabrications from Trump and the Right.

      2. Sharlee01 profile image83
        Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

        "Do you take issue with the data presented by Willow? Being factual and looking at the big picture, only you are saying that it is "emotional". Prove that the information she presented is incorrect before an attack on its content. Why is it wrong beyond your just saying so?" Cred

        I take issue when statistics are quoted without a source or when someone presents them as their own view. I have no problem with opinions on a given subject or sourced data that can be critiqued, especially when it comes to budget predictions. Not all economists are created equal—history has shown that many left-leaning economists predicted Biden would have a stellar economy, and we’ve seen how that turned out. I don’t need to prove anything—that’s Willow’s job. I didn’t attack her view; I debated it and presented a different perspective. You ask, “Why is it wrong beyond your just saying so?” Well, why is hers right just because she said so? It’s clear that Willow and I have very different mindsets, and frankly, it seems you align much more closely with her perspective, as shown by the analogy I just shared.

        1. Credence2 profile image81
          Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

          https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 … print.html

          Sharlee, you have to excuse me for favoring the information as presented by the "Grey Lady", New York Times, a professional and credible source of journalism, over the contrary opinions of Wilderness and yourself, which you can't  or won't substantiate. Her "say so" is more correct than yours because it is supported by a reputable journalistic source, where's yours?

          Beware, there may well be a formidable pay wall between you and the article.

          I am satisfied with the direction the economy was taking during the Biden term and identify what negatives there were to the term of his predecessor. But, again that is just my opinion

          And, yes, I share her perspectives in this matter and see Trump as a total fraud.

          So, where's the beef, Sharlee?

          1. wilderness profile image77
            wildernessposted 5 months agoin reply to this

            You may have been satisfied with falling real incomes, with inflation going back up, with a gradual (or sometimes quick) decrease in our standard of living under Biden.

            Most of us were not.

          2. Sharlee01 profile image83
            Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

            "Sharlee, you have to excuse me for favoring the information as presented by the "Grey Lady", New York Times, a professional and credible source of journalism, over the contrary opinions of Wilderness and yourself, which you can't  or won't substantiate." Cred


            Where are you going with this? Talk about a diversion... I never questioned the author's credibility as a journalist.  The article was an NYT op-ed—keyword, 'op-ed.' I simply debated the viewpoint. and lacked sources. Keyword debated.

            Here is my comment regarding the article--- I take issue when statistics are quoted without a source or when someone presents them as their own view. I have no problem with opinions on a given subject or source data that can be critiqued, especially when it comes to budget predictions. Not all economists are created equal—history has shown that many left-leaning economists predicted Biden would have a stellar economy, and we’ve seen how that turned out.  Sharlee

            I have no beef--- In my view, some here have come to not respect any form of debate where others share their views that conflict. My re[ly to Willows OP was nothing but a very, actually lightweight debate.  It is hard to communicate with the leftists here on HPs. Just my view, but some don't want to debate.  This is very, how can I even say this, odd.

  3. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 5 months ago

    What happened to no tax on tips and no tax on social security? Did I miss something or those things didn't make it into the budget?

  4. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 5 months ago

    Odd?

    This is not an opinion piece  where am I missing that it was labeled as such?

    https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 … print.html

    You are certainly welcome to debate the points raised in the article.  Certainly welcome to provide anything that refutes those points.

    1. Sharlee01 profile image83
      Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

      Could you add sources that dictate facts? I am not interested in the predictions represented. This is why the piece is an OP. It represents views, of what could come from economists. The article you posted presents a perspective on what COULD happen if the House successfully passes the proposed bill containing Trump's agenda, but it doesn’t reflect any form of reality that has or will fully come to fruition.

      It's essentially speculative, outlining the potential provisions and consequences, an 'if come". The article provides an analysis based on current discussions, views, and proposed plans, but until the bill passes and is enacted, it remains a prediction or outlook on what might come to be. And as I mentioned we saw all these types of predictions in Bidens first weeks, and before each of his legislation was passed--- we all know how off the predictions were. That is those that followed predictions.

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

        What source do you find acceptable?

        The First source from the New York times, did not offer predictions it simply outlined what was in the bill.  Which coincides with every other source I've seen .

        Since when do we not follow the predictions of experts?

        1. Sharlee01 profile image83
          Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

          When one presents nothing but what could happen, on a bill that no one has seen, that is called predicting. When one predicts they share their opinion. The NYT posts a large majority of OP's.

          I visited your thread, I joined in and critiqued then debated the NYT article.--- Here is my first post, in which my context indicates I sharing my view. ----

          This entire rant is built on speculation, assumptions, and worst-case scenario predictions without actual evidence. First, Trump has been in office for only a month, and none of these proposed changes have been enacted. A House budget blueprint is not the same as actual legislation, and Congress still has to negotiate and pass any spending plans. Claiming that this budget is a "betrayal" of Trump's promises is premature at best and disingenuous at worst.

          The claim that Medicaid will face massive cuts is based on a general budget outline, not a finalized policy. The reality is that budget plans often suggest potential savings, but that doesn't mean every proposed cut will happen as written. Similarly, the claim that school nutrition programs will be slashed is another assumption. There’s a huge difference between suggesting budget adjustments and gutting essential services. The idea that Trump’s administration is going after low-income school lunches is an emotional appeal rather than a factual argument.

          The tax cuts argument is also misleading. Tax relief is a fundamental part of Trump’s economic plan, designed to stimulate growth and benefit businesses and workers alike. The notion that tax cuts only benefit the wealthy ignores how they impact job creation, wages, and investment. Moreover, projections about deficits and debt are based on economic models that often fail to account for the positive effects of economic expansion. Trump’s policies in his first term led to significant economic growth, and similar strategies are being pursued again.

          This entire critique assumes that Trump's supporters didn’t expect him to pursue these policies. That’s simply not true. His base elected him precisely because they wanted tax cuts, stronger border security, and economic policies that prioritized growth over government handouts. Jumping to conclusions about what will happen a decade from now while ignoring the full legislative process is nothing more than political fearmongering. Let’s deal with actual results, not doomsday predictions.  Your OP offers no soucres.

          You have yet to offer any sources that would indicate facts. yes, predictions were given, nothing more. It did offer what was being again predicted to be in the bill. As of February 23, 2025, President Donald Trump's proposed "big, beautiful bill" has not yet been formally introduced to Congress or the public.  The authors were working with pure speculation. Which is fine in an OP.  I did no more or less than debate their article. As my very first comment indicates.

          This is a political forum, when a thread is posted on any given subject it is up for debate or agreement.  Hey, Cred took the article as factual, as he shared in a reply.

          Regarding The New York Times or any news outlet—if an opinion piece (OP) in The New York Times is not a source itself, the author cannot simply say, "The NYT is my source" as a defense. The NYT publishes a range of opinions, many of which are not fact-based but instead rely on personal interpretation, speculation, or ideology.

          The article you posted was ultimately an opinion piece, speculating on what might be in the "Big Bill" and throwing out possible scenarios of what could happen. It was a hit piece—a “Hey, everybody, look what could happen!” piece, meant to stir up panic and get people wringing their hands.

          1. Willowarbor profile image61
            Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

            What organization would provide an accurate analysis in your opinion

            1. Sharlee01 profile image83
              Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

              CONGRESS after the bill is presented. Maybe we wait for that... Or maybe just do what the NYT did write a hip piece.

              1. Willowarbor profile image61
                Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

                Congress relies on the CBO though... As, I believe, none of them are economists.  Sadly, many of them aren't very educated at all.

                1. Sharlee01 profile image83
                  Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

                  I will let you and Cred figure this all out.

              2. Willowarbor profile image61
                Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

                Trump's tax scheme didn't really work out very well during his first term though did it?   It really failed to deliver on its promises.  Why would we do something again that didn't work the first time?

                1. Sharlee01 profile image83
                  Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

                  I disagree, I did great under Trump's taxes. I will keep it that simple. You see how simple it can be to just disagree with another's view.

                  1. Willowarbor profile image61
                    Willowarborposted 5 months agoin reply to this

                    You must be in the top 10%?

                    "Evidence suggests that the TCJA's corporate tax changes failed to produce the promised investment or wage increases for the majority of U.S. workers. The benefits of the tax changes disproportionately favored high-income households and profitable corporations. Claims made by the Trump administration that the average household would see a substantial increase in income did not materialize. Research indicates that earnings did not significantly change for workers in the bottom 90% of the income distribution, while those in the top 10% saw  increase.

                    The TCJA's business tax changes have permanently reduced federal revenues. Claims that the tax plan would pay for itself have not been substantiated. Studies indicate that increases in economic activity only offset a small fraction of the revenue loss attributable to the tax cut.



                    https://hubstatic.com/17392641_f1024.jpg

                    CBO Finds TCJA Expirations Would Boost The Economy. (2024). https://taxpolicycenter.org/daily-deduc … st-economy

          2. Credence2 profile image81
            Credence2posted 5 months agoin reply to this

            Its about arithmetic, Sharlee not opinion. Is the breakout that was presented what Trump would prefer be the outcome of the legislative process? Whether he gets his wish or not is speculation, but he made it clear that that what was presented in the Times was his preference.

            And it certainly is not mine,....

            "On Tuesday, President Trump lauded a House budget blueprint that would enable Congress to pass much of his legislative agenda in what he called “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.” That budget, which passed a committee vote and could hit the House floor as soon as next week, lays out targets for legislation that would extend tax cuts and increase the federal deficit. It would also almost certainly make major cuts to programs that serve the poor."

            Seems pretty clear cut to me, did I miss something?

            1. Sharlee01 profile image83
              Sharlee01posted 5 months agoin reply to this

              Yes, you missed me just joining in and giving my view of an article. And it seems some are not willing to just leave it at that --- LOL Ya know liberals just can't take rejection of their views. That is not my problem. I took time to debate what I read. Hey,  I guess those who don't care for my view, could keep it simple ---  Just say ---"I don't like your view".

              No one can do the asthmatic until we see the numbers. No one has seen the bill. We can assume all over the place, but why do that? All about ringing hands... We think differently I don't wring my hands until I find a fact that would get me to wringing my hands.

  5. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 2 months ago

    Trump's big ugly  bill will raise taxes on poor Americans and raise costs for the rest of the working class, while disproportionately helping the richest Americans.

    This isn't a budget bill. It's a wealth transfer.

    This is what an oligarchy looks like.

    https://hubstatic.com/17498467_f1024.jpg

    Tax on tips? Still there.

    Tax on overtime? Still there.

    Tax on Social Security benefits? Still there.

    AND...ALMOST 13 MILLION people will lose health care to give billionaires another tax break.

    1. Sharlee01 profile image83
      Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

      The claim that Trump's proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” is a “big ugly bill” designed to raise taxes on the poor and benefit the wealthy misrepresents the bill's actual provisions. Contrary to the assertion that taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security benefits remain, the bill explicitly proposes eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, a move that would directly benefit millions of working-class Americans, particularly in service industries and among law enforcement officers, nurses, and hourly laborers. Additionally, while it does not entirely eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, it introduces an extra $4,000 deduction for seniors over 65, offering some tax relief to retirees rather than targeting them for higher taxes. These are not the actions of a bill aimed at harming the working class.

      Labeling the bill a “wealth transfer” and evidence of “oligarchy” ignores the broader scope of its tax relief measures and frames the debate in misleading terms. While the wealthiest Americans may also see tax benefits, just as they did under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the idea that only the rich benefit is false. According to analyses of past Trump-era tax policy, over 80% of Americans received some form of tax cut, and similar patterns are likely under this proposal, especially with new provisions targeted at wage earners.

      On May 18, the House Budget Committee advanced a budget reconciliation bill to meet spending targets aimed at funding President Trump’s domestic priorities, that includes significant changes to the Medicaid program. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the bill would decrease the federal deficit by more than the $880 billion over 10 years that was called for by the budget resolution passed by Congress in April. CBO preliminary estimates show that the Medicaid provisions would reduce the deficit by $625 billion over ten years and increase the number of people without health insurance by at least 7.6 million by 2034.  https://www.kff.org/tracking-the-medica … hatgpt.com

      Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” offers clear tax relief to workers in the form of eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing the burden on seniors. While legitimate concerns may exist about healthcare funding or debt impact, the sweeping claim that this is purely a handout to billionaires while punishing the working class does not hold up under factual scrutiny. The bill contains targeted relief aimed specifically at middle- and lower-income Americans, exactly the opposite of what critics are alleging.

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

        Social security tax cuts have absolutely not been included in this budget bill.   

        Can I ask folks, how much this bill will increases the national debt and deficit?

        "The bill contains targeted relief aimed specifically at middle- and lower-income Americans, exactly the opposite of what critics are alleging.

        What is that relief exactly?I haven't seen any analysis that shows a benefit for the middle and lower class>. The benefits are absolutely skewed toward top earners. 

        In terms of medicaid, having millions of people with no coverage is a benefit? How? How will their needs be dealt with?

        Also, what has not been mentioned is the fact that millions more are expected to lose coverage as a result of codified changes to the Affordable Care Act  and the failure to extend ACA subsidies.

        Aside from Maga talking points, which non partisan tax or economic organizations are supporting this bill as a benefit to the country?

        Trump says this  tax bill will help all Americans but literally every study say low earners would pay the price.

        1. wilderness profile image77
          wildernessposted 2 months agoin reply to this

          Top earners are top taxpayers, paying the most tax.  They absolutely should get the bulk of the benefits - anything else is just more wealth distribution you complained about.

          1. Willowarbor profile image61
            Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

            You've skirted the question. Why should a higher income earner get to keep more of what they make versus the lower income earner?

    2. wilderness profile image77
      wildernessposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      "This isn't a budget bill. It's a wealth transfer."

      You mean that the wealth transfer, using socialistic principles, that has been going on for decades now is finally going to be reversed and the people that earned and own the wealth get to keep a little more of it? 

      How can anyone be upset about that...except those that demand someone else pay for their wants and needs.

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

        Under what kind of logic makes it okay that people who make millions per year get to keep more of that income and people who make under $50,000 a year don't get to keep more of their income?

        1. wilderness profile image77
          wildernessposted 2 months agoin reply to this

          Under what kind of logic makes it okay to take 70% of what one person earns and zero from another, then giving that 70% to give to the one not paying taxes? 

          How about we each pay a fixed amount, all buying the same thing (citizenship) and paying the same thing for it?  You want "fair" - that's as fair as you can get.

  6. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 2 months ago
  7. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 2 months ago

    CBO Confirms GOP Budget Bill Triggers Medicare Cuts...

    According to the CBO, the bill's addition to the deficit would trigger a process known as sequestration under the Statutory Pay‑As‑You‑Go  Act of 2010.

    Unless lawmakers offset the deficit impact of the Republican bill or agree to waive the PAYGO requirements—which the GOP measure does not do—the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) "would be required to issue a sequestration order not more than 14 days after the end of the current session of Congress (excluding weekends and holidays) to reduce spending by $230 billion in fiscal year 2026," the CBO said.

    Under PAYGO, automatic Medicare cuts are capped at 4%. The CBO estimates that the Republican legislation would trigger roughly $45 billion in Medicare cuts in 2026 and a total of $490 billion in cuts to the program between 2027 and 2034...

    This is what Republicans do best, right?  pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires by going after programs families rely on the most: Medicaid, food assistance, and now Medicare.

    https://democrats-budget.house.gov/news … 20Betrayal

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/top-house-de … 15926.html

    1. Sharlee01 profile image83
      Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

      "
      Estimated budgetary effects of a bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14., the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on the Budget on May 18, 2025. CBO HAS NOT reviewed the legislation for effects on spending subject to appropriation and has not yet completed estimates of the effects of interactions among titles of the legislation. "  CBO
      https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61420?u … hatgpt.com

      Perhaps it is wiser to wait and see the bottom line, and not make a prediction on the bottom line.

      CBO Limitations / Misses
      Economic Forecasting Errors:
      Like all forecasters, the CBO struggles to accurately predict recessions, booms, or unexpected geopolitical events. For example:

      It underestimated the strength of the recovery after the 2008 crash.

      It overestimated economic growth and productivity in several 10-year outlooks, especially post-2014. Their record is not what it was.

      Example--- The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) did not predict that Biden’s legislation would lead to 9% inflation. While the CBO warned that massive spending, especially from the American Rescue Plan Act—could increase demand and raise inflation somewhat, it did not foresee the historic spike that peaked at 9.1% in mid-2022.

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

        Deleted

        1. tsmog profile image75
          tsmogposted 2 months agoin reply to this

          You need to repost a link as the one you left is 'Page Not Found'.

          1. Willowarbor profile image61
            Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this
            1. Sharlee01 profile image83
              Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

              The first paragraph of this letter really says everything that matters at this stage. You seem to be jumping ahead and focusing on parts of the letter that don’t carry real weight until the bill has actually gone through the full legislative process and is signed by the president.

              "Dear Ranking Member Boyle:
              Today the Congressional Budget Office transmitted an estimate of the
              budgetary effects of the 2025 reconciliation bill, as ordered reported by the
              House Committee on the Budget on May 18, 2025.

              "1 CBO has not yet
              completed estimates of the effects of interactions among the titles of the
              legislation. "

              It sounds to me like the CBO is being very cautious in its response, simply laying out the process without making any firm predictions because the bill hasn’t been passed yet. They’ve provided a partial estimate of the budget impact, but they admit that their analysis isn’t complete, specifically, they haven’t factored in how different parts of the bill might interact with each other. What they are doing is explaining how the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act works, and what would happen if the bill added $2.3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. In that case, the law would require sequestration, automatic spending cuts, to offset the deficit increase. But even then, it’s not up to the CBO to enforce that; it’s the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that makes that call. So essentially, the CBO isn’t saying the bill will cause this outcome; they’re just outlining the consequences if it does. That’s why this statement feels more procedural than predictive.

              1. Willowarbor profile image61
                Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

                You've skipped over the triggering of paygo.  In what estimation does this bill NOT create the deficit needed to trigger the act?

                Because of the size of the deficits, because of the paygo act, that would trigger sequestration of Medicare, and it would total over $500 billion. The official figure that CBO confirms is $535 billion in cuts to Medicare.

      2. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

        https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-0 … -PAYGO.pdf

        It is the deficit created by this bill that triggers the cuts to Medicare... This isn't a CBO prediction. This is the reality of PAYGO

        Unless lawmakers offset the deficit impact of the Republican bill or agree to waive the PAYGO requirements—which the GOP measure does not do—the Office of Management and Budget "would be required to issue a sequestration order not more than 14 days after the end of the current session of Congress (excluding weekends and holidays) to reduce spending by $230 billion in fiscal year 2026," the CBO said.

        Under PAYGO, automatic Medicare cuts are capped at 4%. The CBO estimates that the Republican legislation would trigger roughly $45 billion in Medicare cuts in 2026 and a total of $490 billion in cuts to the program between 2027 and 2034..

        https://hubstatic.com/17500061.jpg

        https://hubstatic.com/17500062.png

        It really is no wonder that they are doing their talk/negotiations in the middle of the night LOL

  8. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 2 months ago

    This is the GOP’s fiscal hypocrisy on full display. After exploding the deficit with billionaire tax cuts, now they’re using their own PAYGO rules to slash  billions from Medicare. Working-class seniors will  pay the price for handouts to the wealthy. This isn’t budget discipline. it’s class warfare.

  9. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 2 months ago

    The House just passed the grotesque bloated bill in a 215-214 vote. It will defund Medicaid and Medicare while decreasing taxes mainly for the uber wealthy and corporations. It will also expand our deficit and increase our national debt by trillions of dollars.  On to the Senate...where hopefully this thing gets dismantled.

    The budget bill really does  expose Trump’s ‘working-class party’ rhetoric as phony.

    1. DrMark1961 profile image98
      DrMark1961posted 2 months agoin reply to this

      I think this points out the huge difference between MAGA and the Biden sycophants. Many MAGA followers are unhappy with this too but are not afraid to comment on that.
      When Bidens rulers passed the so-called inflation reduction act, which was actually a climate change bill that would increase prices, none of the leftists on this forum bothered to point out anything wrong with the bill, just like they would not point out the fact that Biden was suffering from dementia or Kamala Harris was drunk at her apperances and unable to answer basic questions.

  10. Sharlee01 profile image83
    Sharlee01posted 2 months ago

    Here’s a detailed factual breakdown of key provisions from the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill" (H.R. 1), based on its text and official summaries:

    1. Tax Relief and Economic Growth
    Permanent Tax Cuts
    The bill extends and makes permanent many of the tax cuts originally enacted in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This includes keeping individual and corporate tax rates lowered through 2028 and beyond. The bill also permanently increases the standard deduction by $1,000 for single filers, heads of household, and married couples filing jointly. These cuts aim to increase taxpayers’ take-home pay and incentivize investment.

    New Tax Deductions for Workers
    A notable feature is the introduction of a tax deduction for tips and overtime pay, which is designed to reduce the taxable income of workers who earn these types of compensation, effectively increasing their net income.

    Child Tax Credit Expansion
    The child tax credit is raised to $2,500 per child and extended through 2028. This aims to provide families with additional financial relief to support child-rearing expenses.

    Increase in SALT Deduction Cap
    The bill raises the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000, but this applies only to taxpayers earning under $500,000 annually. This benefits residents in states with higher local taxes by allowing them to deduct more of those payments on their federal returns.

    MAGA Savings Accounts
    The bill creates “Money Accounts for Growth and Investment” (MAGA accounts), which provide $1,000 per child to families, encouraging savings and long-term investment, aiming to build wealth from a young age.

    2. Healthcare Reforms
    Medicaid Work Requirements
    For Medicaid recipients with incomes above the federal poverty line, the bill imposes work or community engagement requirements as a condition of continued eligibility. This policy intends to encourage employment and reduce long-term dependency on government benefits.

    Restrictions on Gender-Affirming Care
    The bill prohibits Medicaid from covering gender-affirming medical treatments, including hormone therapy and surgeries, for people of all ages. This marks a significant shift in Medicaid coverage related to transgender healthcare.

    Federal Funding Ban on Abortion Services
    Federal funding is barred from clinics providing abortion services, including Planned Parenthood, directing funds toward other healthcare services and priorities instead.

    3. Border Security and Defense
    Border Wall Funding
    The legislation allocates approximately $46.5 billion for the construction and modernization of border barriers, focusing on strengthening physical security infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border.

    Immigration Enforcement Funding
    It provides an additional $5 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities and about $4.1 billion to hire more Border Patrol and CBP officers, aiming to improve enforcement capacity.

    Advanced Missile Defense Investment
    The bill dedicates $25 billion toward an advanced missile defense system, colloquially known as the “Golden Dome,” designed to enhance the United States' ability to defend against missile threats.

    4. Education and Workforce Development
    Expanded Pell Grant Eligibility
    The bill broadens access to Pell Grants by increasing eligibility and introducing Workforce Pell Grants that target trade school students and vocational training programs, supporting skills development for in-demand jobs.

    Student Loan Policy Changes
    It replaces previous student loan forgiveness programs with stricter repayment plans aimed at fiscal responsibility, focusing on more sustainable management of student debt.

    5. Fiscal Policy and Government Spending
    National Debt Ceiling Increase
    The bill raises the national debt ceiling by $4 trillion to avoid default and ensure uninterrupted government funding.

    Defense Spending Boost
    An additional $150 billion is allocated to defense, targeting modernization of military capabilities and national security enhancements.

    Nonprofit Oversight
    The legislation authorizes the U.S. Treasury to revoke tax-exempt status from nonprofit organizations found to be supporting terrorism, tightening oversight and accountability for charitable entities.

    I support the bill, it's not perfect, what bill ever is. Based on what Trump promised during his 2024 campaign, focusing on strong border security, rebuilding the military, boosting economic growth, and supporting families, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" seems to align with many of those priorities. The bill’s significant investment in defense and border security reflects the emphasis on protecting the country and controlling immigration. Expanding Pell Grants and introducing workforce-focused education initiatives also support economic opportunity, which fits with the campaign’s messaging about job growth and empowering Americans.

    1. Willowarbor profile image61
      Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

      And the additions to the debt and deficit? The impact of millions losing medicaid, ACA coverage? Snap?

      1. Sharlee01 profile image83
        Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

        The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has not been repealed by Trump’s new bill. However, the bill includes significant cuts to Medicaid, which was expanded under the ACA. These changes could reduce the number of people who receive health coverage, particularly through Medicaid.

        The bill introduces new work requirements for Medicaid recipients and increases eligibility verification frequency, which may lead to loss of coverage for some individuals who do not meet the new criteria.

        SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is also not eliminated, but the bill proposes  budget cuts over the next decade.

        Under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," sweeping changes are proposed for Medicaid, introducing mandatory work requirements for certain adult recipients. Here’s a clear summary of what those changes include:

        Work Requirement Overview
        Beginning in 2026, adults aged 19 to 64 who are enrolled in Medicaid under the ACA expansion, primarily low-income, childless adults, must engage in a minimum of 80 hours per month in activities such as:

        Employment

        Job training

        Education

        Volunteering or community service

        Participants must report their compliance twice each year. Failure to meet the requirement or properly report activities can result in the loss of Medicaid coverage.

        Exemptions from Requirements
        The following groups are exempt from the work requirements:

        Individuals under age 19

        Pregnant women and those receiving postpartum care

        Seniors (typically those 65 and older)

        Disabled individuals

        Primary caregivers for dependents or disabled family members

        Veterans

        State Implementation and Oversight
        States will be required to set up systems to enforce and monitor the new work requirement rules. They must also handle exemptions and determine which beneficiaries are subject to the mandates. The federal government will oversee state compliance with these new obligations.

        Projected Impact
        The new requirements are expected to result in millions losing coverage over time, either due to non-compliance or difficulties with reporting. Previous attempts to implement similar mandates at the state level have led to unintended coverage losses tied more to paperwork burdens than actual failure to work.

        Additional Changes
        Beginning in Fiscal Year 2028, states must redetermine eligibility for Medicaid recipients under the ACA every six months. This rule aims to keep Medicaid rolls limited to individuals who remain eligible, but it also adds to the administrative load on both beneficiaries and state agencies.

        These changes reflect a policy shift toward linking public assistance to employment and civic participation. I argue it encourages independence and personal responsibility, while opponents caution about the risk of cutting off essential healthcare for vulnerable populations.

        Medicaid has been abused for decades. And our government has done nothing until now.

        1. Willowarbor profile image61
          Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

          So there will be no impact in terms of throwing people off of medicaid, the ACA because of lack of expansion. Snap?  I mean what will happen to the uninsured when they're sick? Or when people are hungry because they no longer have snap benefits?

          1. Sharlee01 profile image83
            Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

            Those who do not meet the criteria will lose Medicare. You do realize there are tons of medicare abuses? 

            No one is going to lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) itself. The ACA remains in place and continues to provide health insurance options. However, the Medicaid part linked to the ACA could be affected for some people if they don’t meet new eligibility requirements that states may implement.

            So, while people won’t be “thrown off” the ACA or lose their ACA coverage, some might lose Medicaid coverage if they don’t qualify under these updated rules. The key point is that losing Medicaid coverage does not mean losing the ACA marketplace coverage; they could still buy insurance through the ACA exchanges, possibly with subsidies.

            In other words, Medicaid eligibility can change based on new state rules, but ACA protections and coverage options remain intact for everyone.

            SNAP is not going away because of President Trump’s new bill, but the legislation does include significant changes that could reduce benefits for many recipients. One of the main proposals in the bill is to expand work requirements. Currently, able-bodied adults aged 18 to 49 must work or participate in work-related activities to maintain their SNAP benefits. The new bill would extend these work requirements to include individuals aged 50 to 64, as well as parents with children aged 7 and older. If recipients fail to meet these requirements, they risk losing their benefits.

            1. gmwilliams profile image85
              gmwilliamsposted 2 months agoin reply to this

              It's pure and simple.  I read the new bill requirements, of course, the liberal media is preaching doomsday a la Dickensian England.  Trump is trimming the excess fat of the government.  He is doing what he promised.   The government is not a parent.

              1. Sharlee01 profile image83
                Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

                They can say what they will about Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” but it’s about time we saw a piece of legislation that takes a serious shot at both protecting proven tax cuts and reining in wasteful government spending. This bill may not be perfect, few big reforms are, but it reflects a fiscally responsible approach that many Americans have been asking for.

                The continuation of tax cuts that helped families and small businesses weather tough economic times isn’t just smart policy, it’s common sense. What’s even more encouraging is that this bill doesn’t just spend, it pulls back money from bloated programs and federal agencies that have long been criticized for inefficiency and abuse. That’s not just trimming fat; it’s listening to years of concerns from watchdogs and taxpayers alike.

                Let’s be honest: Trump was elected on a controversial platform, and he won, in large part, because voters were tired of the status quo. If we truly believe in democratic outcomes, then yes, he deserves a shot to implement what he promised. This bill might ruffle feathers, but that’s often what real reform looks like. At the very least, it’s a step in the direction of a leaner, more accountable government, something we need now more than ever.

                1. Willowarbor profile image61
                  Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

                  Protecting proven tax cuts for who? Every single analysis shows that this bill is heavily skewed to the top few percent in terms of income.

            2. Willowarbor profile image61
              Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

              The  budget bill passed by the House, does not expand the Affordable Care Act. In fact, it's projected to significantly reduce health insurance coverage. ...

              https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/23/big-bea … rts%20say.

              Medicaid abusers? Are there studies or data that they have pointed to in terms of backing up those types of claims. I certainly can give my own  examples of people who work sparsely, their reasons for it, while receiving both Medicaid and snap.

              I am certain that my trump loving neighbor will lose his benefits as he is an abled bodied man capable of working 40 + hours per week.   Why does he work less than part-time? Well he has an adult daughter living there who can't be left alone for more than a few hours at a time due to her capacity... I wonder how many out there have a similar situation? Or they have memaw and peepaw's hospice beds set up at home?   

              Also, I'm sure you've looked at States who did implement their own increased  work requirements for Medicaid and I believe every single one of them reversed those policies.  They didn't really work to plan. 

              But again, I don't think anyone has really answered but the impact will be of millions who could potentially be without insurance? The impact on hospitals?  Rural hospitals particularly   that will go under.   

              In the realm of healthcare fraud, isn't  it most often the providers themselves, including doctors and other medical professionals, who are the primary culprits??

              1. Sharlee01 profile image83
                Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

                Yes, your statement is factually accurate: the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not being expanded, but it is also not being fully repealed.

                The "One Big Beautiful Bill," recently passed by the House, includes significant changes to Medicaid, a key component of the ACA
                No one is going to lose their coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) itself. The ACA remains in place and continues to provide health insurance options. However, the Medicaid part linked to the ACA could be affected for some people if they don’t meet new eligibility requirements that states may implement.

                So, while people won’t be “thrown off” the ACA or lose their ACA coverage, some might lose Medicaid coverage if they don’t qualify under these updated rules. The key point is that losing Medicaid coverage does not mean losing the ACA marketplace coverage; they could still buy insurance through the ACA exchanges, possibly with subsidies.

                You’ve actually made my point Ideally, your Trump-supporting neighbor, who is able-bodied and fully capable of working full-time, will no longer qualify for benefits under the new rules. That’s the intent behind these changes: to ensure assistance goes only to those truly in need, not to those who can support themselves but choose not to.

                Grampa and Grandma are covered under Medicare for hospice care.

                Once enrolled, Medicare's hospice benefit covers a comprehensive range of services related to your terminal illness, such as:
                Medicare

                Doctor and nursing services

                Pain relief and symptom management medications

                Medical equipment and supplies

                Physical and occupational therapy

                Speech-language pathology services

                Social work services

                Dietary counseling

                Grief and loss counseling for you and your family

                Short-term inpatient care for pain and symptom management

                Inpatient respite care to provide relief for your caregiver

                1. Willowarbor profile image61
                  Willowarborposted 2 months agoin reply to this

                  Because the premium tax credits are not being renewed under this bill, ACA coverage will become unaffordable for millions.

                  "You’ve actually made my point Ideally, your Trump-supporting neighbor, who is able-bodied and fully capable of working full-time, will no longer qualify for benefits under the new rules.

                  I guess he can always lock his daughter in a room, right?

                2. Ken Burgess profile image72
                  Ken Burgessposted 2 months agoin reply to this

                  Changes must be made...

                  Changes are coming whether we are ready or not...

                  We are in the midst of massive disruption... we are moving from the Industrial Age... and the Information Age... while still being in both... entering into the AI age... or the AGI age if you prefer...

                  The old ways of training for a trade or profession and going to work for someone in a factory for 25 years or being a doctor... much of what we have grown up considering career fields and lifelong professions is being disrupted... moreso today in the "white collar" jobs than the "blue collar".

                  Most of the "blue collar" fields where humans can be replaced with computers or robots have suffered this transition already...

                  Now they are replacing doctors, accountants, managers... "white collar" jobs with AI today... teledoc... melio...

                  Soon the truck drivers and the travel industry will be hit... as Cabs, Trucks, and Planes are controlled by FSD AI.  Before you know it they will make most travel illegal if not FSD AI controlled.

                  We have had 30 years of sellout politicians making themselves rich as they kick these problems down the road for the next elected stooge to deal with...

                  Trump... and by extension Gabbard, Kennedy, Musk, etc. are trying to deal with a BROKE economic system where we are spending MORE on interest on our debt... than on our Defense Budget...

                  Think on that... we waste more per year on Defense (wars) than the entire rest of the world combined... the entire world, ALL other nations, do not spend close to what America does on Defense...

                  And we are now spending more on our INTEREST on the National Debt... than we do on Defense... or ALL of our other government funded programs (IE Medicaid and Social Security)...

                  We got problems... not even tough love can solve them...

                  1. gmwilliams profile image85
                    gmwilliamsposted 2 months agoin reply to this

                    I see nothing wrong with the bill at all.  Trump is just trimming excess fat.   I believe that people should work for their keep.   If people want food, they should be able to afford it themselves.   If people are poor, they shouldn't have children to bring them into the world where the latter has a hellish existence.   People are poor in America because of irresponsible behavior & choices.   The American taxpayer shouldn't have to foot the bill.   We pay more than enough taxes already.

                  2. Sharlee01 profile image83
                    Sharlee01posted 2 months agoin reply to this

                    You're exactly right, and I couldn’t agree more with the urgency behind your words. We are living through a seismic shift, not just in technology but in how our entire economic system functions, and the political class has done nothing but enrich themselves while letting it all unravel. The disruption isn’t coming, it’s already here. AI and automation are rewriting the rules of employment, and like you pointed out, the white-collar sector is now feeling the same squeeze that decimated blue-collar jobs years ago. What's truly maddening is how our leaders, on both sides, have ignored the writing on the wall for decades.

                    They kept printing money, outsourcing industry, and pretending that debt doesn’t matter. Now we’re spending more on interest than national defense, and somehow still funding endless wars and bloated bureaucracy, while everyday Americans are just trying to keep their heads above water. I agree with you, figures like Trump, Kennedy, and Musk at least seem willing to name the problem and stop kicking the can. The system isn’t just broken, it's rigged, and unless we face that head-on, the future will be decided for us by the same elites who created this mess.

  11. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 7 weeks ago

    Iowa constituent: "People will die" because of Republicans' cuts to Medicaid.

    Joni Ernst: "Well, we all are going to die."

    Holy sh*t. This woman  needs to be sent back to castrating hogs....

    LOL and they always say this kind of stuff with the largest crucifix around their neck.. like please tell me more about your Christian values.

    https://x.com/dabbs346/status/1928441971460202894

    1. Sharlee01 profile image83
      Sharlee01posted 7 weeks agoin reply to this

      "LOL and THEY always say this kind of stuff with the largest crucifix around their neck.. like please tell me more about your Christian values." Willow

      Wait a minute. Joni Ernst made a comment, blunt, maybe poorly timed, and without full context, hard to judge fairly. But to leap from that one sentence to insulting her personally and then turning it into an attack on all Christians is way out of line.

      She's one individual. Her views, her tone, her choice of words, that’s on her. But pointing to a crucifix and mocking Christian values as if one person speaks for an entire faith? That’s not only unfair, it’s the same kind of broad-brush thinking people claim to stand against.

      We’re all individuals. Christians, like everyone else, are not a monolith. To act like wearing a cross makes someone a hypocrite the moment they say something you don’t like, is just stereotyping with extra steps.

  12. IslandBites profile image68
    IslandBitesposted 7 weeks ago

    Speaking at a town hall in Butler County, Iowa, on Friday,  Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican was  explaining how the bill would affect Medicaid eligibility when one audience member yelled out that individuals who lost coverage because of the cuts could die.

    While outrage at Ernst’s glib comment was immediate, on Saturday, the senator doubled down with a sarcastic response shared on Instagram.

    “I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that, yes, we are all going to perish from this earth,” she said in a video filmed in what appeared to be a cemetery. “So I apologize, and I’m really, really glad that I did not have to bring up the subject of the tooth fairy as well.”

    She then added: “For those that would like to see eternal and everlasting life, I encourage you to embrace my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

    In Iowa, about 1 in 5 residents are covered by Medicaid, including half of all nursing home residents, according to estimates from the nonprofit health policy research organization KFF.

    Fake christians are awful people.

  13. IslandBites profile image68
    IslandBitesposted 7 weeks ago

    House GOP ‘big, beautiful bill’ would increase the deficit by $2.4 trillion, CBO says

    House Republicans’ sweeping tax and spending cuts package would increase the deficit by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the bill that GOP lawmakers narrowly approved last month.

    The highly anticipated score, which was released Wednesday, could complicate Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s task of crafting a version of the legislation that his divided conference would approve. Several GOP senators have already expressed concern about the House package’s potential impact to the deficit and want to make deeper spending cuts, while others are wary of the major reductions to the nation’s safety net – particularly Medicaid – in the House bill.

    The analysis also adds ammunition to billionaire Elon Musk’s attacks on the package, which he wrote on X Tuesday would bankrupt America. The posts follow an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, in which Musk said will increase the deficit and undermine the work of his Department of Government Efficiency.

    Trump and House GOP leaders have already sought to undercut the CBO’s projections, arguing that nonpartisan agency has missed the mark in the past and that its analyses don’t properly account for the economic growth that would result from the tax breaks. They have made similar claims about estimates from independent groups that also project a big hit to the deficit.

    1. Sharlee01 profile image83
      Sharlee01posted 7 weeks agoin reply to this

      I honestly question the common sense on both sides of the aisle when it comes to this bill. Democrats are loudly objecting to the spending cuts, especially regarding programs like Medicaid, and in the next breath, they’re screaming about the cost of the bill. That makes no sense at all. Meanwhile, some Republicans are pushing for even deeper cuts based on CBO projections that the bill will increase the national debt. The irony is, the bill does make significant cuts already, yet neither side seems to be approaching this rationally.

      Democrats appear unwilling to accept any reductions in social programs, while many Republicans are quick to criticize the spending without clearly outlining what they'd cut instead. Meanwhile, both parties have allowed a slew of pork projects to sneak into the bill, many of them added by Republicans. It’s become so politicized that it’s hard to even follow the logic behind the final draft.

      At this point, we have to ask: is there anything left that can be cut without undermining the basic functioning of the government or harming vulnerable populations? Cuts to Medicaid right now seem unwise, as they’re already relatively restrained. But to make the bill more fiscally responsible, maybe we should take a serious look at bloated defense spending, outdated subsidies, or unnecessary federal contracts. The conversation needs to shift from partisanship to pragmatism, because the debt won’t care which party caused it.

      I’ve read the bill, and it definitely needs a lot of work. There’s room for cuts in several areas—just trimming a bit from military and immigration spending and cutting the pork projects would make it more manageable. Honestly, as a nation, we can’t afford luxuries like the Golden Dome missile system right now. It’s a great idea in theory, but sadly, we’re no longer the nation we once were financially. We need to be more realistic about our priorities.

      1. Willowarbor profile image61
        Willowarborposted 7 weeks agoin reply to this

        This isn't a bipartisan bill. So I don't think Democrats have added anything to it, have they?  Pork would be Republican pork.  I do agree with you on trimming the defense budget and money being thrown at immigration before reforms are passed through Congress.

  14. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 7 weeks ago

    Well of course it is...

    Medicare is a target as Senate GOP faces megabill math issues

    "Senate Republicans are eyeing possible Medicare provisions to help offset the cost of their megabill as they try to appease budget hawks who want more spending cuts embedded in the legislation...."

    Oh yes and they'll call it "waste fraud and abuse", won't they? Anything to get those texts benefits to the wealthy... It's getting ugly folks.

    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/0 … s-00389537

    1. wilderness profile image77
      wildernessposted 7 weeks agoin reply to this

      "Anything to get those texts benefits to the wealthy..."

      And to everyone else paying taxes as well.  Why is it that the rest of the equation is always left out by those of the left?  Are they trying to convince us all that a lie is true?  That only the rich, those paying the vast bulk of our needs, are the only ones going to benefit?

      1. Sharlee01 profile image83
        Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

        I understand the frustration with how the left often simplifies the tax debate by focusing only on the wealthy. The reality is that taxpayers across all income levels, including the middle class, contribute a significant share toward funding government programs. But ultimately, the wealthy do contribute more to government coffers, not just through income taxes, but also through capital gains, corporate taxes, investment taxes, property taxes, and even sales taxes on high-end goods. Their businesses also generate jobs, payroll taxes, and economic activity that feeds into local and federal revenues.

        It’s not just about “the rich” benefiting; the full picture involves how taxes and spending impact everyone. Leaving out that context distorts the conversation and stops us from having an honest discussion about fairness and responsibility.  I can't understand a mindset that does not grasp the very basics of how wealth creation and taxation actually work.

        How did our society become so dumbed down?

        1. Willowarbor profile image61
          Willowarborposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

          "How did our society become so dumbed down?"

          We simply can't afford the tax cut that's being pushed forward though? The current Administration is pushing us to live beyond our means.   Maybe this rift between Elon and Trump will finally bring that home to more people?

          1. DrMark1961 profile image98
            DrMark1961posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

            Yes, it is encouraging the country to live beyond its means. As bad as those onibus bills that were full of pork for liberal causes that were passed during the Biden and Obama times, dont you think?

          2. Sharlee01 profile image83
            Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

            In my view, our society has become increasingly dumbed down, and my recent conversation with Dan helped highlight some of the reasons I feel that way. Regarding the tax cuts, I strongly disagree with any proposal to end them. I believe doing so would hurt the country, especially given the challenges we're facing right now. The key point is timing, I think keeping the current tax rates is necessary to help us through this volatile period.

            We're in a tough and uncertain time. Raising taxes now could put more pressure on families, businesses, and the economy as a whole. The current rates provide some breathing room, which can help maintain stability until things settle down.

            As for the back and forth between Elon Musk and his critics, I see it as childish and unprofessional. It damages both sides’ reputations. I doubt this exchange will have any real impact in the long run, but Elon definitely took a hit on X. Personally, I lost some respect for him. If what he’s implying is true, I have to question his morals.

            1. Willowarbor profile image61
              Willowarborposted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

              I don't think we need to raise taxes but it is very clear that we simply cannot afford to pass these tax cuts.   The impact on the deficit and the debt would be huge.  Tax cuts don't pay for themselves.   Past cuts have led to  ever widening budget deficits and lower revenue, not the reverse.   Extending the tax cuts is just irresponsible.  The government can't cut,  slash and carve things up to offset a plan that drastically reduces revenue.   The 2017 TCJA did not pay for itself and the deficit widened... Why are we expecting any different this time?

              https://hubstatic.com/17519832_f1024.jpg

              Let's remember...

              "Donald Trump left office with the largest budget deficit in terms of raw dollar amount in peacetime American history, and a national debt exceeding 100% of GDP for the first time since World War II. "

              https://manhattan.institute/article/tru … d-deficits

              1. Sharlee01 profile image83
                Sharlee01posted 6 weeks agoin reply to this

                Just my view,   Trump’s first-term tax cuts were a gamble on growth, and while COVID derailed the results, the groundwork was there. Now, with the economy in a stronger position, keeping those tax cuts is once again a bet that growth will outpace the loss in revenue. If the country really takes off, through business investment, job creation, and smart energy and trade policies, it could work. But it’s still a gamble that depends on serious growth and keeping spending in check. Without both, the deficit could continue to grow. I voted for change, and knew Trump was a gambler.  I would be completely against what Democrats suggest, hitting the rich. This rubs me the wrong way, I am a total capitalist.

              2. Credence2 profile image81
                Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

                The “tinkle down” theory has been discredited since Ronald Reagan. Who is going to buy that today?

  15. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 5 weeks ago

    People on Medicare, Medicaid, ACA marketplace plans, AND with job-based health insurance (over 50% of Americans) will ALL see prices rise if Republicans' budget bill becomes law...
    https://hubstatic.com/17533081_f1024.jpg



    https://hubstatic.com/17533077.png

    https://hubstatic.com/17533078.png


    https://hubstatic.com/17533079.png


    https://www.americanprogress.org/articl … insurance/

    1. Credence2 profile image81
      Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Thank you for the scholarship in providing so much relevant data to point out the obvious, that is, for anyone that truly wants to look.

  16. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 4 weeks ago

    Fox folks aren't even buying it ..

    https://hubstatic.com/17536941_f1024.jpg

    1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
      TheShadowSpecterposted 4 weeks agoin reply to this

      Willowarbor?  Everyone on this forum?  I know that this is a little bit off topic.  However, there's a major concern that our DiscoverHubPages articles are being plagiarized over on the Owlcation site.  There's information about it on the discussion forum for "HP/TAG mining content from Discover."  I needed to let you all know about it.

      1. Credence2 profile image81
        Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

        Thanks for the information, Shadow. Fortunately, I haven’t penned in article in some time.

  17. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 3 weeks ago

    Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a total and complete disaster, every part of it. No wonder a majority of Americans oppose it in poll after poll.  So many maga's about to lose their Medicaid.

    1. Credence2 profile image81
      Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      If they voted for Trump then they deserve to lose their Medicaid, after all, they asked for it…

  18. Sharlee01 profile image83
    Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago

    Update on OBBB--- we are coming to the wire.

    The Senate is currently wrapped up in a "vote‑a‑rama" on President Trump’s massive “One Big, Beautiful Bill” — a marathon of amendment votes that kicked off Monday morning (June 30). Senators are debating and voting on numerous changes, especially targeting Medicaid cuts, energy tax credits, food stamps, and border provisions, before moving to a final passage vote today.

    All day: Senators are offering unlimited amendments—Democrats aiming to highlight GOP differences, while Republicans push through key tax and spending changes

    .Tonight: After finishing the amendment votes, the Senate will hold a final up‑or‑down vote on passage, likely late Monday or into early Tuesday.

    Then the House picks it up. The Rules Committee is set to meet on Tuesday, July 1, and the full House vote could begin as early as Wednesday, July 2. The goal is to get it all passed and signed by July 4, which is the deadline Trump set. So we’re right in the middle of it now, watch for the Senate result tonight and the House decision mid-week.

    Will Trump see that bill on July 4th?  I will go out on a limb and say --- yes. Fingers crossed

    Making America Great Again....

  19. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 3 weeks ago

    Uh oh.... Looks like the world's richest man is upset...
    https://hubstatic.com/17547434_f1024.jpg

    Interesting.   Will he throw his money behind candidates?  I mean he did buy the office for Trump...

    1. IslandBites profile image68
      IslandBitesposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      https://hubstatic.com/17547470_f1024.jpg

      1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
        TheShadowSpecterposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

        IslandBites?  Did you see that interview that Laura Ingraham held with Tomi Lahren recently?  It's all over YouTube.  Tomi Lahren made a brainless comment that most adult men from Generation Z were "stay-at-home sons" and were receiving Medicaid benefits and that, for that reason, she was all in favor of Congress cutting them off of Medicaid.  In reality, most adult men from Generation Z are under 26 years of age, so they would still be on their parents' private health insurance policy.  How could Tomi Lahren not know that?  She makes over 3 million dollars a year, and she's supposed to be college-educated; yet she doesn't know what she's talking about.  I wish that Laura Ingraham had refused to do that interview with her.

        1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
          TheShadowSpecterposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

          Tomi Lahren was talking about the one big, beautiful bill in her interview with Laura Ingraham.

        2. IslandBites profile image68
          IslandBitesposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

          Not until you mentioned it, but Im not surprised. Usually, she doesn't know what she's talking about.
          SMH

    2. Credence2 profile image81
      Credence2posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Wow, sounds like Musk is quite the hothead. I would relish seeing those two tangle in the ring. I hope that he puts a monkey wrench in the Trump dynamo and render it of no affect

  20. Sharlee01 profile image83
    Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago

    We are at the wire-- Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” is definitely stirring up conversation. Polls—mind you, these are polls—suggest a good number of Americans aren’t fully on board with it. But from what I see on social media, a lot of people either haven’t read the bill or are reacting to rumors and half-truths. There’s a lot of misinformation being shared, whether intentional or not.

    That said, Trump is clearly putting himself out on a limb here. He seems to believe this bill could be a turning point for the country. From what I’ve read, particularly the proposed changes to Medicaid and the areas where spending is being targeted, it looks like there’s an attempt to seriously trim government waste. For instance, there are provisions for tightening Medicaid eligibility and implementing work requirements, as well as reducing funding to underperforming federal agencies. These are the kinds of reforms that could actually reduce spending without cutting essential services.

    Will it pass? I think it will. And when it does, Trump will own it, for better or worse. But if he’s right about the impact, it could become a signature win. If wrong, he will wear it.

  21. IslandBites profile image68
    IslandBitesposted 3 weeks ago

    Donald J. Trump

    @realDonaldTrump

    Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one. Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!

    So now he has a problem with it. SMH



    https://hubstatic.com/17548399_f1024.jpg

    1. Willowarbor profile image61
      Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      And the rhetoric is ramping up..
      Trump talking to the press about Elon...

      LOL..He would have had to ."head back HOME to South Africa"

      Translation...he not a real American.

      "DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon"

      A reporter asks him about deporting Elon and Trump says he'll take a look at it...LOL

      Can't wait till Elon starts spilling the tea...

      https://x.com/mjfree/status/1940026211796684822

  22. IslandBites profile image68
    IslandBitesposted 3 weeks ago

    VIDEO

    DOGE 'monster' might have to 'eat Elon,' Trump says

  23. Credence2 profile image81
    Credence2posted 3 weeks ago

    I saw some disparaging  news on Yahoo. The big beautiful ball of caca just passed in the Senate with Vance being the tie breaker.

    Left leaning people need to recognize that there is no such thing as a moderate Republican. And the fight we are engaged in needs to be a fight to the finish.

    Trump has the Reichstag (Congress) in his clutches and has paid right wing toadies on the Supreme Court.

    The only reality is if you can’t beat their machine, we have to beat them. The only hope now is people seeing the result of their short sightedness and lack of vision and turning on him like so many vipers while Trump pulls the rug out from under them. If and when the economy tanks due to Trumpinomics and when their empty pockets are increased exponentially, that will be our opening.

    1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
      TheShadowSpecterposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Credence2?  As a moderate Independent who leans Republican, I'm embarrassed to say this; but here it is.  President Trump should veto that big, beautiful bill and send it back to the Congress for them to remove anything that sabotages Medicaid.  He has to know that if he makes major cuts with Medicaid, he's going to lose a lot of Republican Congressmen and Congresswomen on Capitol Hill in the 2026 mid-term elections.  Then he'll be stumbling afterwards to get anything done in the White House, because he knows that the large number of Democrats that come into office on Capitol Hill in 2026 are not going to cooperate with him whenever he tries to get any further bills passed that he proposes to the Congress.  His second term in the White House will have a sad ending once he leaves office in 2029 in that event.  I don't want to see him fail.  He once even admitted to a leader of one of these other English-speaking nations that have Universal Healthcare that they had a better healthcare system than the United States does.  It's tragic.

      If he wishes to attack welfare fraud, I'm all for it.  However, if he seeks to cut people's Medicaid benefits who are ailing, I see nothing good coming out of it.  And, yes, I do understand that he will afford certain exemptions, but that is going to require Medicaid recipients to fill out additional paperwork so that they don't lose their Medicaid benefits.   That could cause delays, even gaps in their healthcare coverage.

      This whole spiel about "stay-at-home sons" is a load of nonsense.  The reason that a lot of people are unemployed is because there are no laws against employers obtaining copies of job applicants' credit reports.  It's not because these people are lazy and stay at home playing video games all day long.  There needs to be laws against employers obtaining copies of job applicants' credit reports, because there are so many things that can go wrong with someone's credit score and credit history due to no fault of their own.

      1. Sharlee01 profile image83
        Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

        Deleted

        1. Willowarbor profile image61
          Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

          I'll take it from someone who's on the inside and has absolutely nothing to lose and zero skin in this game anymore...

          Republican Thom Tillis of North Carolina suggested that White House healthcare experts refused to tell the president that the version of the “Big Beautiful Bill” that is moving through the Senate on a rushed schedule “will hurt people who are eligible and qualified for Medicaid.”

          The truth of the matter is, upwards of 12 million people that are qualified and eligible for Medicaid are going to lose their coverage along with millions more who will no longer be able to afford the ACA due to premium tax credit loss... Rural hospitals WILL go under.   The man is telling the truth... And this is all in service of passing tax breaks for the wealthy.   Maga backlash, the group that will be really disproportionately negatively impacted by this bill will be fierce.  You don't trim a trillion dollars from Medicaid without harming truly needy people.  And no one really has much touched on how devastating these cuts will be to nursing home care also.  Lots of folks don't know that Medicaid is the one who picks up the cost of long-term care of Grandma and Grandpa

      2. Sharlee01 profile image83
        Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

        I am going to ask --- I might be sorry, but here goes. Where does the bill  sabotages Medicaid. " ?

        I have looked at that part of the bill over, and I don't see what others are seeing, and the media is reporting. Now, don't get me wrong, there are things in that bill I don't agree with. But the media seems to have passed over. But Medicaid was not one of them. 

        People with disabilities are not being cut from Medicaid. They are exempt from losing benefits, as are many more that the media is saying will be cut.

        1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
          TheShadowSpecterposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

          But what I'm saying is that if President Trump imposes the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for Medicaid recipients between 19 and 64 years of age, he should at least include a provision in the bill that would prohibit employers from obtaining a copy of a credit report for each job applicant.  New York City has a law like that, and it has been successful.  President Trump is from New York City.  Therefore, I'm pretty sure that he knows how successful this law has been.  Including this same provision in the big, beautiful bill would make it easier for these recipients to meet their 80-hours-a-month work requirement inasmuch as no derogatory credit report would be standing between them and a good-paying job.  And that good-paying job may even offer private health insurance benefits to them.  It would seem like a win-win situation for everyone involved.

          1. Sharlee01 profile image83
            Sharlee01posted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

            "But what I'm saying is that if President Trump imposes the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for Medicaid recipients between 19 and 64 years of age, " Shadow     

            I think you will be very shocked and see that he is only asking able-bodied individuals to comply. In my view, it would seem they cover all bases, even the indigent will not need to comply.  This part of the bill is being misrepresented by the media, as well as many on social media, as well as many Democratic representatives are choosing their words carefully not to lie, but leaving out the truth.

            The bill mandates that able-bodied adults aged roughly 19–64 must complete 80 hours per month of work, volunteer service, or education to remain eligible for Medicaid (and SNAP). I would like you to read the exception to this rule.

            I would like you to review all that are exempted from the 80 hr rule.

            Exemptions to the Work Requirement
            The following categories of Medicaid recipients would be exempt from the 80-hour/month work rule as written in the bill (though verification paperwork may still be required):

            Any Disabled individuals

            Pregnant women

            Full-time caregivers, including:

            Parents or guardians of children under a certain age (often under 6)

            Those caring for a disabled family member

            Elderly over adults (typically over 65)

            Enrolled students (full-time or part-time, depending on the final guidance)

            Chronically ill individuals or those with serious medical conditions

            People undergoing treatment for substance abuse

            Homeless individuals (though definitions and protections vary by state)

            Recent prison releasees or incarcerated individuals

            Foster youth up to age 26

            Native Americans in certain tribal jurisdictions (subject to sovereign exemptions or court rulings)

            Victims of domestic violence or extreme hardship (if documented)

            Those already meeting work requirements through another program, such as: TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

            In my view looks like no one who needs Medicaid will lose Medicaid unless they are able-bodied to work 80 hours per month.

            Regarding your concern on adding a provision in the bill that would prohibit employers from obtaining a copy of a credit report for each job applicant.

            The ability of employers to request credit reports on job applicants has been a long-standing privilege, and no president has ever included a ban on it in a major bill like a tax package, workforce reform, or healthcare act. Not sure why Trump would be vilified for this.

            Not sure anyone even proposed that to be added to the bill. I think that you made a good point regarding the credit report concern. I see your point.  I also feel it may have just not been thought of.

            1. Willowarbor profile image61
              Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

              What will The economic consequences be of 12 million people losing HealthCare coverage?

  24. Sharlee01 profile image83
    Sharlee01posted 3 weeks ago

    Here’s a clean, source-free summary of the Medicaid Rule Changes in H.R. 1, with no outside interpretation or media framing—just the actual provisions as written into the bill text:

    Medicaid Rule Changes in H.R. 1
    Work Requirements

    Adults aged 19–64 in Medicaid expansion must complete 80 hours per month of work, education, training, or volunteer service.

    Exemptions include the medically frail, certain caregivers, pregnant women, and students.

    States must verify compliance at least every six months, with the option to conduct more frequent checks.

    More Frequent Eligibility Verification

    States are required to perform eligibility checks twice per year for all Medicaid enrollees.

    The House version allows for monthly verification if states choose.

    Provider Tax Cap Caps Medicaid provider taxes at 3.5% by 2031, reduced from the previous 6%. (very positive)

    Limits on State-Directed Payments

    Prohibits states from directing Medicaid payments to providers that exceed Medicare payment rates.

    Moratorium on “Streamlining” Rules. To further explain why this needed to be changed, logically.

    What Were the “Streamlining” Rules?
    The rules were part of a Biden-era effort to:

    Simplify Medicaid and CHIP application processes

    Allow for longer automatic renewals

    Reduce paperwork that could cause people to lose coverage

    Align Medicaid/CHIP more with how people enroll in Obamacare/Marketplace plans

    ( Why Block These Rules?
    Supporters of the moratorium argue that:

    These streamlining rules increase enrollment beyond what was originally intended.

    They may allow people to remain on Medicaid who no longer qualify, due to outdated income or status checks.

    States should have more discretion in reviewing eligibility regularly.

    Critics of the moratorium say it may:

    Make it harder for eligible people to stay covered

    Increase administrative red tape

    Lead to coverage loss due to paperwork errors)

    Freezes the implementation of CMS rules aimed at easing Medicaid/CHIP enrollment and renewal until January 1, 2035.

    Retroactive Coverage Reduced

    Cuts retroactive Medicaid coverage from three months down to one month.

    Gender-Affirming and Abortion Services Banned

    Prohibits Medicaid funding for gender-affirming medical care.

    Prohibits Medicaid funding for any organization that provides abortion-related services.

    Immigration-Related Restrictions

    Imposes a five-year waiting period for green-card holders before qualifying for Medicaid.

    Completely excludes undocumented immigrants from Medicaid eligibility.

    Increased Cost-Sharing

    Introduces new co-payments up to $35 per visit for Medicaid enrollees above the poverty line.

    Why is this positive.
    Encourages Responsible Use of Services
    When healthcare is completely free at the point of use, some enrollees may overuse or seek unnecessary care (like frequent ER visits for non-emergencies). A small co-payment helps ensure people think twice and use services more responsibly, reserving resources for those who truly need them.

    2. Aligns with Private Sector Norms
    Most people with private insurance already pay co-pays. Introducing modest co-pays in Medicaid for individuals above the poverty line brings the program closer to how the broader healthcare system operates, promoting fairness between Medicaid recipients and working Americans who pay out-of-pocket for care.

    3. Reduces State and Federal Costs
    Even a modest co-payment can offset program costs. When millions of enrollees pay a small fee per visit, it adds up to significant savings for state and federal budgets—freeing up money for essential services, high-need patients, or reducing deficits.

    4. Targets Only Those Above the Poverty Line
    The co-pay doesn’t affect the poorest and most vulnerable. It applies only to those above the poverty line, who are seen as having some means to contribute. This preserves protection for the most in need while expecting a basic level of cost-sharing from others.

    5. Can Help Combat Fraud
    With even a modest financial stake, patients are more likely to monitor their own billing and treatment, which can indirectly help reduce fraud or billing abuse by providers.

    Supporters of this change argue that it's about making Medicaid sustainable, reducing misuse, and promoting fairness, not denying care. They emphasize that $35 is a ceiling, and actual co-pays will likely vary and be much lower depending on the state.

    I could simply point out positive changes regarding every change to the Medicaid program. It needed to be changed to keep it solvent in many respects and make it more efficient.

    One only needs to take a closer look at the actual text of the bill, rather than relying on the spin coming from Democrats and much of the media. It’s doubtful they took the time to truly examine the changes being proposed to Medicaid. It took some serious effort to twist what are, in reality, straightforward and sensible reforms into something controversial. All the facts are there; it only takes an inquisitive mind to find them. At any rate, it will pass, and I feel be really great for any who find they need Medicaid or are legally on Medicaid

    1. Willowarbor profile image61
      Willowarborposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      Well here's to hoping that maga make up the majority of the  12 Million who lose coverage they actually qualify for....after all, it's what they voted for.   If anyone believes that 12 million can lose coverage without truly needy people being affected....I think you're dead wrong.

  25. Willowarbor profile image61
    Willowarborposted 3 weeks ago

    No one is talking about the economic impact this bill is going to have. It's almost like Trump just tells his followers jump first think later...

    In terms of Medicaid and the ACA,, the impact won’t be limited to those who lose coverage, of course. When millions lose Medicaid, the ripple effects strain the entire health system: ERs become even more overcrowded, hospitals absorb more uncompensated care, and costs shift to the insured through higher premiums and deductibles. It would push an already strained health system into full-blown crisis.  But no thought of that beforehand whatsoever?

    1. TheShadowSpecter profile image69
      TheShadowSpecterposted 3 weeks agoin reply to this

      My concern here is how this would effect the mid-term elections in 2026.  I'm sure that the elected officials on Capitol Hill are getting a lot of e-mails, phone calls, and letters about this bill.  I don't like welfare abuse any more than anyone else does.  However, I think they all need to look before they leap.  Medical care is always a sensitive topic for everyone.

 
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