This week, Republicans in the House introduced legislation that would fundamentally gut the Medicaid program, the lifeline that covers more than 70 million low-income, disabled, and vulnerable Americans.
The bill—jammed through the Energy and Commerce Committee—isn’t about fixing inefficiencies or closing loopholes. It’s about erecting barriers to throw people off the program. We’re talking about:
-
New work requirements, even for people with intermittent or unstable employment.
-
Increased co-pays for doctor visits, even though Medicaid was designed for those who can’t afford traditional insurance.
-
Tougher eligibility verification procedures, meaning people like Melannie could fall through the cracks just trying to prove they belong.
-
Citizenship proof mandates that disproportionately target immigrant communities and people of color.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 8.6 million people could lose coverage. All in the name of “savings” — not to improve care, not to address fraud, but to bankroll an extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
Bureaucratic Water Torture
Let’s be honest: this is not about fraud prevention. As Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) put it, this is “bureaucratic water torture”—a deliberate strategy to confuse, exhaust, and purge eligible people from the rolls.
This strategy works because it preys on people during the worst moments of their lives: during illness, job loss, or financial hardship. It counts on them missing a form, misunderstanding a requirement, or being unable to navigate the endless red tape.
It counts on people like Melannie giving up.
Even Sen. Josh Hawley—who usually never met a cruel policy he didn’t like—half-heartedly admitted the plan would “lead to coverage losses.” But he’s “OK with that.” Because apparently, losing your insurance during chemotherapy is fine as long as it’s done in the name of “efficiency.”
This Isn’t Reform. It’s Retaliation.
Republicans have been targeting Medicaid ever since it was expanded under the Affordable Care Act. Why? Because it works. Because it makes government look good. Because it saves lives without enriching shareholders. And because it’s popular—even in red states.
So rather than repeal it outright, they’re undermining it slowly: form by form, co-pay by co-pay, requirement by requirement. And they’re hoping you won’t notice until it’s too late.
Well, we notice. And we remember.
We remember that Medicaid expansion helped lower mortality rates, especially for cancer and heart disease. We remember that Medicaid is a backbone of rural health care, children’s health services, and long-term elder care. And we remember that it’s more efficient and cost-effective than private insurance—despite what Republican soundbites claim.
This bill is a test: of our values, our priorities, and our compassion. Are we a country that helps people get well—or a country that punishes them for getting sick?
Call your representative or online fax them. Tell them to reject this cruel, cynical attack on Medicaid. Because no one should have to fight for their life—and then fight again for the care they need to survive.
