Mon Jun 02 14:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Officials and House Speaker Make False Claims About Medicaid Cuts in Proposed Budget
**Washington D.C.** – Former Trump administration officials and House Speaker Mike Johnson are facing criticism for downplaying the impact of proposed budget cuts to Medicaid, with critics arguing that the claims are demonstrably false.
Russ Vought, Donald Trump’s former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, stated on CNN that “no one will lose [Medicaid] coverage as a result” of the House’s proposed budget. Speaker Johnson echoed this sentiment, claiming on NBC’s Meet the Press, “People will not lose their Medicaid unless they choose to do so.” He further asserted, “We’re not cutting Medicaid.”
These claims, however, are contradicted by expert analysis and independent reports. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the Republican budget would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $723 billion, leading to 7.6 million people losing coverage by 2034. This loss is attributed to new work requirements for adults aged 18-64 and stricter eligibility checks.
Vought also claimed that a significant portion of Medicaid spending is “improper,” suggesting widespread fraud. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reported that 7.66 percent of payments were “improper” in 2024, this category includes underpayments, overpayments, and cases where information is insufficient to determine payment accuracy, not just fraudulent payments. Furthermore, he falsely stated that undocumented immigrants are on Medicaid, despite federal funding being restricted for their coverage except in emergency situations.
Experts warn that the proposed changes will create barriers to enrollment and lead to significant coverage loss, even among eligible individuals struggling to navigate complex reporting requirements. Jennifer Tolbert of the Kaiser Family Foundation cited experiences from states with similar work requirements, noting that these policies “pose barriers to people enrolling in coverage and lead to coverage loss.”
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that up to 14.4 million people could lose coverage over the next decade. They emphasized that work requirements do not increase employment but instead lead to increased medical debt and delayed medical care for those who lose coverage.
Research highlights the critical role of Medicaid in healthcare access and outcomes. Studies have shown that Medicaid expansions reduce mortality rates among low-income adults and improve access to essential medical care. The proposed cuts and stricter requirements, therefore, raise concerns about the potential impact on the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
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