In a surprising turn of events, Democratic leaders have remained silent regarding President Biden’s proposed Medicaid cuts, raising concerns about the potential harm it could cause to millions of vulnerable Americans who rely on this crucial healthcare program. It is often necessary to stand up to a president within your own party to prevent grave mistakes that will be regretted later, and now is the time for Democratic leadership to step in and save the Biden administration from committing an egregious blunder.
The concerns over Medicaid cuts are not new. Back in 2020, a bipartisan group of legislators, including Republican colleagues, wrote to then-President Donald Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services expressing opposition to a proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability regulation. The letter highlighted the potential annual funding reductions of $37 billion to $49 billion, which could result in a devastating 12.8% to 16.9% cut in total hospital program payments. Notably, even Joe Biden and Kamala Harris voiced their opposition to the rules, calling them “dangerous” and “devastating” for vulnerable low-income patients.
The outcry extended beyond party lines, with governors from across the nation warning about the inability of states to adequately fund their Medicaid programs under such cuts. Consequently, the Trump administration withdrew the proposed regulation, heeding the bipartisan concerns. However, the issue resurfaced when President Biden’s CMS issued a federal bulletin in February 2023, reinstating the regulations. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against CMS, arguing that the agency lacks the authority to implement these rules. Despite the legal challenge, CMS persisted and proposed new rules in May, doubling down on the potential harm to Medicaid recipients.
Enacting severe Medicaid cuts would not only spell disaster for vulnerable patients nationwide but could also prove politically damaging for President Biden as the upcoming election draws closer. This is particularly significant given his previous statements condemning Republicans for seeking to cut essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Without reversing these proposed regulations, President Biden finds himself in a glass house while throwing stones at Republicans.
Democratic members of Congress from Texas and Florida have urged the Biden administration to reconsider its stance, recognizing that such a policy shift jeopardizes not only the most vulnerable citizens within their states but also Medicaid beneficiaries nationwide. Surprisingly, national Democratic leaders who were vocal opponents of these regulations during the Trump administration have been conspicuously silent on the matter.
It is crucial to remember that members of the federal bureaucracy often work towards advancing their own agendas, regardless of the president’s party affiliation. Therefore, the responsibility of party leaders is not to blindly support federal bureaucrats but to consider the best interests of their constituents, their party, the president, and the nation as a whole. The Trump administration responded to bipartisan concerns and made the right decision in withdrawing the proposed regulations. Whether Democratic leaders will show the same willingness remains uncertain.
As the debate over Medicaid cuts continues, it is essential for Democrats to speak out against this potential harm to millions of Americans in need. Their silence is raising concerns and leaving many wondering if they will prioritize their constituents and the well-being of the country over political allegiance. Time will tell if Democratic leadership will take a stand and protect vulnerable Americans from the detrimental effects of these Medicaid cuts.
Tom Reed, a former Republican congressman from New York, penned this opinion piece.
