Trump’s Budget Bill Faces Controversy Over Health Coverage Cuts

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Trump's proposed budget bill may eliminate health coverage for 12 million citizens, increasing national debt by $3.3 trillion. As Republicans rush to pass the bill before the July 4 deadline, bipartisan tensions underscore the legislative battle.

A sprawling budget bill making its way through the US Senate could result in the loss of health insurance coverage for nearly 12 million Americans, alongside a staggering increase of $3.3 trillion in national debt, according to recent estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This forecast poses a potential obstacle to Republican efforts to pass President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act as the Senate scrambles to meet a self-imposed deadline of July 4.

The bill narrowly passed a preliminary Senate vote late Saturday after party leaders worked to persuade wavering members. Notably, Senator Thom Tillis from North Carolina, who voted against the legislation, announced he would not seek reelection. Criticism from Democratic lawmakers has mounted as the healthcare cuts—amounting to $1 trillion—are highlighted. The bill was passed with a narrow 51-49 vote, as Republicans, who control 53 Senate seats, can only afford three defections, with Senators Tillis and Rand Paul standing against it.

During the debate, it remained uncertain whether there was sufficient support to push the bill through. Lawmakers employed procedural strategies to slow the voting process, which included a 16-hour reading of the nearly 1,000-page bill, with Democrats expected to use the full 20 hours allotted for further deliberation.

If successfully amended and passed, the bill would require approval from the House of Representatives before reaching the president's desk. Trump has urged swift passage, labeling any failures as "the ultimate betrayal." He lauded Saturday's preliminary vote as a "great victory."

The proposal's implications for Medicaid—crucial for millions of low-income, elderly, and disabled Americans—have emerged as a contentious issue. Senator Mark Warner emphasized the potential negative impact, stating, "This is tax cuts for the wealthiest to end up cutting healthcare, plain and simple."

Amidst these debates, the budget bill, which aims for widespread tax cuts—benefiting over 80% of Americans, particularly wealthier individuals—proposes several amendments to appease dissenting Republicans. These include a work requirement for Medicaid benefits, reduced state taxes for medical providers that significantly fund Medicaid, and adjustments to rural hospital budgets.

Concerns that cutting healthcare funding would adversely affect rural hospitals prompted lawmakers to increase a relief fund for these institutions from $15 billion to $25 billion, amid stricter regulations on the food stamp program for working adults with older children. As both Republican and Democratic senators engage in heated discussions, the fate of Trump’s ambitious budget bill hangs in the balance.