Trump's healthcare bill threatens millions with loss of insurance
- The recent healthcare legislation signed into law is expected to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and other programs over the next decade.
- The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that approximately 11.8 million people risk losing health insurance.
- The Trump administration defends the changes, aiming to reform Medicaid, with potential economic benefits touted by the president.
In the United States, President Donald Trump defended his recently passed healthcare legislation during a Fox News interview. The bill, noted for its significant cuts to federal healthcare programs, is projected to place approximately 11.8 million individuals at risk of losing their health insurance over the upcoming decade. Details from the Congressional Budget Office indicated that these cuts would primarily affect Medicaid, Obamacare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program, aiming to remove nearly $1 trillion from these services. The legislation follows a narrow passage in the House and a Senate vote that required a tie-breaking intervention by Vice President JD Vance. Trump's administration argues that implementing work requirements and eligibility checks are necessary measures to ensure that only those who genuinely need healthcare benefits receive them. These measures are aimed at removing non-disabled individuals from Medicaid, sparking significant controversy among Democrats who criticize the potential effects of these cuts on vulnerable populations. While the cuts take time to enact, with effective dates set for the end of the following year, the looming prospect has already raised alarms regarding access to healthcare for millions. In the interview, Trump dismissed the claims of Democrats suggesting that the bill could lead to fatalities, asserting that the legislation would ultimately benefit the American people and lead to economic investments, including the influx of car companies relocating their manufacturing operations to the U.S. Furthermore, he expressed confidence in the plan's ability to stimulate the economy, anticipating a positive response from investors. However, the Congressional Budget Office's projections highlighted potential fiscal consequences, estimating that the bill could contribute an additional $3.4 trillion to federal budget deficits over a decade—a forecast that has been publicly rejected by several Republican lawmakers and officials from the White House. Amid the fiery debates over the bill's implications, the administration continues to face mounting scrutiny from the opposition as the nation grapples with the potential impact of these healthcare reforms on millions of Americans.