Reductions in Medicaid will negatively impact families and could lead to political losses for the GOP, according to the Governor of Kentucky.
It's May 14, 2025 and the Democrats are sounding the alarm over a Republican plan that would leave millions without healthcare access. The GOP's bill presents hundreds of billions in cuts and a series of steps to make it harder for people to enroll in or remain on Medicaid, the program that provides health coverage for low- and middle-income families.
A draft by House Republicans proposes tougher eligibility requirements, work requirements, and stricter enrollment measures, as reported by the Associated Press. This potential legislation could spell disaster for millions as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office anticipates at least 8.6 million people would lose health insurance coverage by 2034.
The Republicans also propose cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a move that draws fire from the Democratic governors. All 23 Democratic governors signed a statement denouncing the cuts as "disastrous," forced rural hospital closures, and fiscal chaos across the country. They assert that the notion of states being able to fill in the budget gaps is "simply inaccurate and impossible."
In an interview with Morning Edition, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, one of the signatories of the statement, called the Republican's bill a "bad plan that harms families" and warned the GOP of upcoming electoral backlash. Beshear emphasized his state's heavy reliance on Medicaid, where cuts to the program would cause the most damage and how Democrats can counteract the GOP while holding no power in Washington.
Highlights
Michel Martin: What are your top three worries if this bill becomes law? How does it look in your state?
Gov. Andy Beshear: My biggest concerns are losing healthcare coverage for many people. Medicaid covers those we care about most: our parents and children. In Kentucky, half of our kids are covered by Medicaid, and 70% of our long-term care costs are covered.
When the analysis highlights eight and a half million people losing coverage, it means kids and seniors will lose healthcare, leading to family struggles to cover the costs. Medicaid is crucial to rural healthcare, notably in small hospital systems where over 40% of their revenue is from Medicaid. This loss of coverage could lead to layoffs, closures, and remote communities encountering extreme difficulties to access healthcare services.
The SNAP cuts are callous, as they go against my religious beliefs that there should be enough food for everyone. In a country that produces enough food for all, a program like SNAP ensures no one goes hungry.
Martin: Republicans argue that they address fraud and waste in Medicaid, and the program has expanded beyond its intended purpose. If they tackle these issues, wouldn't they preserve the program for those in need?
Beshear: If fraud and abuse concerns exist, there are units to address those issues. Larger funding for these units would be more effective than burdening Medicaid recipients with more forms and requirements. This bill tries to make enrollment for individuals on Medicaid more difficult, which is unjust for those already eligible.
Martin: Some Republicans advocate for more aggressive Medicaid cuts. Things they wanted aren't in this bill, like, for example, per capita limits on Medicaid spending. Are there things that Democrats can consider to address their concerns?
Beshear: A wise leader is open to suggestions, but this plan threatens rural healthcare. I urge Republicans to listen to rural Americans who understand Medicaid's importance. Democrats must preserve healthcare for families and stand united against measures that harm rural communities.
Martin: Given the Republican Party's control of both Congress houses and the White House, is there anything Democrats can do to stop this?
Beshear: Americans can speak out against the plan, and that's our best defence. This plan hurts families, and it may cost the GOP seats in the upcoming elections.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Copyright 2025 NPR
### Insight The proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would drastically affect access to essential services like healthcare and food assistance for millions of Americans. These changes, Metro-economically criticized by Democrats, may serve to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, leading to increased income inequality while burdening low-income households with additional costs. The 2025 plan faces internal resistance within the Republican Party, with some members advocating for more drastic cuts, creating tension in the party.
- The Democrats have expressed concerns about a Republican plan that threatens health coverage for millions, drawing attention to the proposed cuts in Medicaid.
- In the proposed bill, there are stricter eligibility requirements, work requirements, and enrollment measures for Medicaid that could lead to millions losing health insurance coverage.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces cuts in the bill, which Democratic governors criticize as disastrous, especially in rural areas.
- The potential legislation could lead to fiscal chaos, forced rural hospital closures, and extreme difficulties for remote communities to access healthcare services, according to Governor Andy Beshear.
