Fact Check: "Trump's megabill cuts $1.7 trillion without affecting Medicare or Medicaid."
What We Know
The claim that Trump's megabill cuts $1.7 trillion without affecting Medicare or Medicaid is misleading. According to a report by The New York Times, the House version of the bill proposes to cut federal spending on Medicaid by at least $600 billion over the next decade, which would result in an estimated reduction of enrollment by approximately 10.3 million people. This significant cut contradicts the assertion that Medicare and Medicaid would not be affected.
Furthermore, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected that the overall impact of the bill would increase federal deficits by well over $1 trillion, with estimates ranging from $1.7 trillion to $3.8 trillion depending on the analysis method used (PBS, ABC News). This indicates that the claim of a $1.7 trillion cut is not only inaccurate but also fails to account for the substantial reductions in Medicaid funding.
Analysis
The evidence presented indicates that the bill indeed proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, which directly contradicts the claim that it does not affect these programs. Experts, including Edwin Park from Georgetown University, have pointed out that many of the proposed changes to Medicaid are not merely about eliminating "waste, fraud, and abuse," but involve deeper cuts that would limit access to care and coverage for low-income beneficiaries (New York Times).
The reliability of the sources used to assess this claim is high. The CBO is a non-partisan agency known for its accurate fiscal projections, and its estimates regarding the impact of the bill on Medicaid and federal deficits have been corroborated by multiple independent analysts (PBS, ABC News). The New York Times, PBS, and ABC News are reputable news organizations that provide thorough reporting and fact-checking.
The assertion that the bill cuts $1.7 trillion while leaving Medicare and Medicaid untouched is not supported by the data. The proposed work requirements and other restrictions on Medicaid eligibility are expected to further exacerbate the situation for millions of Americans who rely on these programs for healthcare (CNN, CNBC).
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Trump's megabill cuts $1.7 trillion without affecting Medicare or Medicaid is misleading and incorrect. The bill includes significant cuts to Medicaid, amounting to at least $600 billion, which would directly impact millions of beneficiaries. Additionally, the overall financial implications of the bill suggest an increase in federal deficits, contradicting the notion of a straightforward budget cut.
Sources
- Fact Check: Trump and G.O.P.'s False Claims on Bill's Medicaid Cuts
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP
- Exploring the potential impact of Medicaid cuts in Trump's big budget
- US families anxious about Medicaid debate in Trump's 'Big'
- Pourquoi ce chapeau de Melania Trump - JForum
- Health insurance coverage losses under House GOP tax, spending bill
- USA: US-Psychiater und Psychologen warnen vor Trump
- What will Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' do to Medicaid and SNAP?
