Fact Check: The U.S. Congress has the authority to modify Medicaid funding and regulations
What We Know
The U.S. Congress has the constitutional authority to regulate and fund Medicaid, a program established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. This authority allows Congress to make significant changes to Medicaid funding and regulations through legislative measures. For instance, recent legislative proposals have included substantial cuts to Medicaid funding, as seen in the House-passed reconciliation bill known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (H.R. 1), which proposed to cut gross Medicaid and CHIP spending by $863.4 billion over the next decade (source-1). Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that such cuts could lead to an increase in the number of uninsured individuals by approximately 10.9 million by 2034 (source-1).
Moreover, the Senate's version of the bill proposed even deeper cuts to Medicaid, indicating a clear legislative intent to modify Medicaid regulations and funding (source-4). This ongoing legislative activity demonstrates Congress's authority to alter Medicaid's structure and funding.
Analysis
The claim that Congress has the authority to modify Medicaid funding and regulations is supported by both historical precedent and current legislative actions. The legislative process allows Congress to enact laws that directly affect federal funding for Medicaid, as evidenced by the recent reconciliation bills aimed at cutting Medicaid spending significantly. The House-passed bill and the Senate's proposed amendments both illustrate Congress's ability to enact changes that could reshape Medicaid's funding landscape (source-1, source-4).
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high, as they include reports from reputable organizations such as the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute and major news outlets like The New York Times. These sources provide detailed insights into the legislative processes and the implications of proposed changes to Medicaid. However, it is essential to note that while these sources are credible, they may have inherent biases based on their political affiliations or the perspectives of the authors. For instance, reports critical of the proposed cuts may emphasize the negative consequences on vulnerable populations, while those in favor may highlight the need for fiscal responsibility.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "The U.S. Congress has the authority to modify Medicaid funding and regulations" is True. The constitutional framework grants Congress the power to legislate on matters related to Medicaid, and recent legislative proposals demonstrate this authority in action. The significant cuts proposed in both the House and Senate bills further illustrate Congress's ability to modify Medicaid's funding and regulatory structure.
Sources
- Medicaid and CHIP Cuts in the House-Passed Reconciliation Bill ... (https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/05/27/medicaid-and-chip-cuts-in-the-house-passed-reconciliation-bill-explained/)
- H.R.1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act - Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text)
- H.R.1738 - Stabilize Medicaid and CHIP Coverage Act - Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1738/text)
- Senate Bill Would Make Deep Cuts to Medicaid, Setting Up Fight With ... (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/politics/senate-bill-medicaid-cuts.html)
- Comparing the Medicaid cuts in House and Senate "big, beautiful bill ... (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/comparing-medicaid-cuts-house-senate-trump-big-beautiful-bill/)
- Senate Reconciliation Amendment Would Cut Hundreds of Billions More ... (https://www.cbpp.org/research/medicaid-and-chip/senate-reconciliation-amendment-would-cut-hundreds-of-billions-more-from)
