GOP Defends Medicaid Reform in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Amid Democrat Outcry

House Republicans are touting their Medicaid reform within the sprawling One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a legislative behemoth they claim roots out waste, fraud, and abuse to safeguard coverage for America’s most vulnerable. The bill, a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s agenda, narrowly passed the House with a 215-214 vote, sparking fierce debate as Democrats cry foul over alleged cuts to Medicaid.

Democrats, gearing up for the 2026 midterms, have seized on the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) estimate that 8.6 million Americans could lose health insurance by 2034 due to the reforms. They’ve amplified this figure to 13.7 million, factoring in 5 million already set to lose coverage under expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits. ‘It’s a betrayal of working families,’ fumed Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene, warning of a ‘hidden tax’ on the working poor.

Republicans, however, are pushing back hard. Rep. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) called Democratic claims ‘blatantly false,’ insisting the bill strengthens Medicaid by targeting ineligible recipients—think illegal immigrants, duplicate enrollees, or able-bodied adults dodging work requirements. ‘We’re protecting precious Medicaid dollars for those who need it most,’ Houchin told WTFNewsRoom, emphasizing that traditional Medicaid beneficiaries have nothing to fear.

Yet, the CBO’s numbers have stirred skepticism. Houchin, a key player on budget committees, dismissed the agency’s projections, pointing to a conservative group’s findings that 26 of 32 CBO Health Analysis Division staff lean Democratic. ‘I don’t trust the CBO score, and neither should Americans,’ she said, arguing the reforms ensure Medicaid’s longevity.

The bill itself is a multitrillion-dollar juggernaut, weaving in Trump’s campaign promises: no taxes on tips or overtime, extended 2017 tax cuts, and boosts for border security, energy, and manufacturing. But the Senate looms as a hurdle, with even GOP senators like Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) balking, citing risks to rural hospitals and working-class families.

As the congressional recess begins, both sides are digging in. Republicans are urging their members to sell the bill’s merits to voters, while Democrats are betting the Medicaid fight will flip the House in 2026. ‘This bill puts Americans first,’ Houchin insisted, but with the Senate’s rewrite pending, the ‘big, beautiful’ battle is far from over.