FLASH BREAKING: Major news on Republicans CUTTING healthcare, YouTube video (8 min), Feb. 25, 2025, by Brian Tyler Cohen
Liberal Redneck ā On Gutting Medicaid and Food Stamps to Cover More Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, YouTube video (8 min), Feb. 26, 2025, by Trae Crowder
āI was a poor kid, I know gross, but I was I was on all these programs. Food stamps subsidized my education all through college; donāt know what I would have done without them and in the intervening years since I have paid back far more in taxes than I ever got for the government. So the point is stop looking at these programs as an endless money glitch for a bunch of freeloaders, and look at them instead as an investment in one of our most vital resources: each other. I am walking breathing talking proof that the ROI can be pretty damn good. We can use these programs to lift up countless other Americans out of poverty.ā
āAll right, look, giving these rich people even more money is not going to work. You know how I know? Cuz weāve been doing it for more than 40 goddamn years. If the Blessed urine of our betters was ever going to trickle down to us, I think weād have felt a drop or two by now. All right so Iām imploring you ā wake up stop tongue-polishing the boot thatās on your throat, and recognize the value of investing in your fellow Americans.ā
The Debate Over Federal Medicaid Cuts: Perspectives of Medicaid Enrollees Who Voted for President Trump and Vice President Harris, KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), Feb. 25, 2025, by Amaya Diana, Jennifer Tolbert, & Robin Rudowitz
- Many Trump and Harris voters said that ā¦ theyĀ did not recall hearing about changes to health care programs (including Medicaid) during the campaign. Most participants said theĀ government has a role to play in making health care more affordable and accessibleĀ ā¦ both Trump and Harris voters [said] that state verification procedures prevent individuals from defrauding the program on a large scale ā¦
- ā¦Ā Participants opposed cutting Medicaid funding to pay for tax cuts that they did not believe would benefit them.Ā Both Trump and Harris voters expressed fears that these changes would jeopardize the program, take away access to health care, result in worse health outcomes, and increase out-of-pocket costs. A few Trump voters did not believe Trump would follow through on the cuts to Medicaid because they believed he understood their financial struggles.
- Both Trump and Harris voters valued their Medicaid coverageĀ and the access to health care services, mental health services, and medications for themselves and their children it provides. Participants also valued Medicaid because it helps to protect them from financial disaster, alleviates stress, improves health outcomes and often supports their ability to work. Participants saidĀ losing Medicaid would ābe devastatingāĀ and lead to serious consequences for their physical and mental health and exacerbate pre-existing financial challenges.
- IfĀ work requirementsĀ were introduced to Medicaid, participants who were working generally felt confident in their ability to meet the requirements; however, they worried about theĀ burden of monthly reportingĀ requirements when those were described to them. Many participants across parties noted that access to treatment for chronic conditions, including prescription medications and mental health treatment, were key in helping to support their ability to work. More Trump voters supported a work requirement but some who were not working were convinced they would qualify for an exemption. Other participants, including both Trump and Harris voters, who were not currently working felt they would faceĀ challenges in meeting the requirements. Those who were not working said they wanted to work (and many had been previously working for many years) but were generally unable to because of disability or because they were caring for young children or a sick parent.
- Both Trump and Harris voters wanted policymakers to focus on improving Medicaid instead of cutting it.Ā For example, some participants said they would like to seeĀ enhanced dental benefits, increased doctor availability, and fewer prior authorization requests. Focus group participants wanted policymakers to consider the implications of federal cuts to Medicaid for people, their health, financial stability, and ability to be productive members of society.
Comment:
By Jim Kahn, M.D., M.P.H.
This weekās House budget resolution sets targets for subsequent detailed appropriation bills. The two largest priorities: cut Medicaid for the poor, and slash taxes (predominantly) for the rich. Net result: an increase in debt of nearly $3 trillion ā thatās $8500 per person, >$25,000 for a family of three, while growing the ranks of the uninsured.
These strategies are widely unpopular, including the Medicaid cuts, as heard by KFF in their bipartisan focus groups.
The $880 billion in Medicaid cuts is about 10%. Where will that come from? Payment rates are already dangerously low. Benefits are slim. A GOP Congressman in the Tyler Cohen video, when repeatedly asked if heāll vote against ācuts to Medicaidā, robotically intones with a smirk: āNo benefit cuts.ā What does that mean? How is that possible? Presumably: the budget cuts will arise from restrictions inĀ eligibilityĀ (who qualifies), without removing benefits for those covered. So whatās better, less for the same number of beneficiaries, or excluding millions of beneficiaries? Cruel either way, IMO. But for the GOP rep, itās all political subterfuge.
I do appreciate that economics was highlighted in both of these decidedly non-economic forums. Brian Tyler Cohen presents the Center for American Progress graphic summary of the budget proposals. And Trae Crowder talks about āreturn on investmentā ā his taxes as a worker far exceeding what the government invested in his healthy growing up.
Progressives have been losing the social media wars. With entertaining and whip-smart presenters like these YouTubers, we are making up lost ground!
But whatās most encouraging to me is how much a wide swath of voters like and rely on Medicaid. Not that itās a perfect program, far from it.Ā DespiteĀ its limitations. Just imagine how theyād feel about lifelong universal health insurance, with broad benefits, paying fair rates to providers, and no significant cost-sharing. It would be heaven. Itās called single payer. Itās an important way to unite left, middle, and right against the billionaires (but theyād be covered too).
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