Chris Deluzio warns Pennsylvania loses health care under Trump’s bill

In the House of Representatives, debate continues over President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package, often referred to as the 'big, beautiful bill.' On July 3, 2025, a group of Republican holdouts reversed their opposition and agreed to allow the bill to advance to a vote. This legislation, which has already passed the Senate, is poised for final passage as House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed confidence in securing the necessary votes from party members. The package has raised concerns among Democrats, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Rep. Chris Deluzio has highlighted significant drawbacks, including drastic cuts to Medicaid that could result in 500,000 loss of benefits in his state and potentially close rural hospitals. Deluzio criticized the legislation for offering large tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations while failing to protect the most vulnerable populations, including low-income Americans who would lose vital safety net programs. He argues that these impacts will contribute to a substantial increase in the national deficit, projecting an addition of $3 trillion to $4 trillion. Supporters of the bill, including Republican Congressman Mike Kelly, counter that the proposal will provide significant economic benefits by creating jobs and bolstering small businesses. They argue the legislation allows for immediate deductions on manufacturing facilities, aiming to spur growth and investment. In the complex political landscape, the final outcome rests in Republican control, where leaders must navigate intra-party disagreements over details of the bill. Some GOP members expressed concerns over the potential rise in the deficit alongside the proposed cuts. Despite these disagreements, the party's majorities in both chambers suggest that the bill is likely to pass and reach Trump’s desk for signature. This legislation also touches on various other provisions, including incentives for domestic chip manufacturing and tax arrangements for small businesses, but critics warn that the long-term adverse effects on public health and safety net programs outweigh the potential benefits. As the House prepares for the final vote, hospital associations have stated their discontent with the funding and provisions affecting healthcare, thus highlighting broader implications of the bill beyond merely economic adjustments. The fate of this significant piece of legislation could reshape healthcare access and fiscal stability for many Americans, especially in areas like western Pennsylvania, where healthcare resources are already stretched thin. The implications of such sweeping changes have led to heated debates about priorities in public policy and governance, as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle grapple with the balance between tax relief and the protection of essential services.