Trump Budget Bill Faces Scrutiny as Millions Risk Losing Health Coverage

A new Congressional Budget Office estimate reveals that President Trump's budget bill could lead to nearly 12 million Americans losing health coverage while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt. As the Senate faces a tight deadline for approval, key Republican senators express concerns over the proposed Medicaid cuts.

A controversial budget bill backed by President Donald Trump is currently under intense scrutiny in the Senate. Recent estimations from the Congressional Budget Office suggest that nearly 12 million Americans could lose their health coverage if the bill passes. Furthermore, the legislation is projected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion, intensifying criticism from Democratic lawmakers and raising concerns among some Republicans.

Amid a self-imposed deadline of July 4, Republican leaders are working to garner support for the Big Beautiful Bill Act. The spending plan narrowly passed a preliminary 51-49 vote in the Senate, but its future remains uncertain as negotiations continue. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina recently announced he would not seek reelection after voting against the bill, voicing concerns about its financial impact on his state.

The Democrats have seized this opportunity to criticize the proposed cuts to healthcare, estimating that a trillion dollars will be slashed from healthcare funding if the bill sees the light of day. Senator Mark Warner stated unequivocally that the legislation favors the wealthy while detrimentally affecting low-income Americans who rely on Medicaid.

During the ongoing Senate discussions, opposition has surfaced, with Senators Paul and Tillis joining forces with Democrats in their dissent. A lengthy, 16-hour reading of the nearly 1,000-page bill took place in an effort to delay the vote, as Democrats intend to utilize every minute of their 20-hour debate allocation.

Should the Senate ultimately approve the bill, it would still need to secure a final approval from the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by Trump. He has been vocal about the urgency to finalize this legislative effort, framing any failure to pass the bill as a profound betrayal.

While supporters of the bill highlight the anticipated tax cuts for over 80% of Americans next year, key adjustments made to pacify concerns about Medicaid and rural hospital funding have surfaced. The proposed legislation includes a work requirement for most adults to qualify for benefits and seeks to decrease state taxation on medical providers.

However, the measure, which raises significant concerns regarding eligibility and support for low-income families, remains a flashpoint of contention among lawmakers. As both sides prepare for further debates, the implications of the bill loom large on the healthcare landscape and economic future of the nation.