Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill: Medicaid Reform or Attack on the Poor?

President Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" has sparked heated debate in Washington, D.C., with Democrats claiming it slashes Medicaid and harms the poor. But Jim Agresti, president of Just Facts, calls this narrative baseless. "The bill doesn’t cut benefits for anyone below the poverty line, working 20 hours a week, or American citizens," he told WTFNewsRoom. Instead, it targets fraud and ineligible recipients, like undocumented immigrants, while preserving aid for those truly in need.

Democrats, citing Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reports, claim the bill could strip coverage from 14 million people. Republicans counter that these figures misrepresent the actual legislation, which focuses on work requirements and stricter eligibility checks to ensure Medicaid’s sustainability. Agresti emphasizes the bill’s intent: "It’s about lifting people out of poverty, not trapping them there. If you’re not poor, you need to work to qualify."

Sen. Bernie Sanders has called the bill a "death sentence for the working class," alleging it raises copayments for low-income families. Agresti refutes this, noting that copayments are capped at $35 for those above the poverty line, down from $100, and don’t apply to the poorest. "Sanders’ claims are outlandish," he said, pointing to studies showing free healthcare without copays leads to wasteful overuse, like emergency room visits for minor issues.

The bill’s reforms aim to curb white-collar fraud, with Agresti citing Government Accountability Office data showing billions in wasted Medicaid funds. Yet, critics like Sen. Josh Hawley argue that many working Americans rely on Medicaid due to unaffordable private insurance. "These are hardworking people," Hawley said, cautioning against cuts that could harm them.

As Congress debates, the bill’s focus on accountability and efficiency challenges the status quo, forcing a reckoning on who Medicaid should serve—and how.