FOX News Digital spoke to Just Facts President Jim Agresti about Democrat claims that Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ will slash Medicaid benefits for poor people. Agresti, who joined Fox News Digital, contended that the claims are misleading and have no basis in reality. He explained that the proposed bill does not target low-income individuals who are eligible for Medicaid, such as those living below the poverty line, working full-time, and American citizens.
Agresti emphasized that the bill’s focus is on addressing illegal immigrants and fraudsters. He argued that Medicaid has expanded significantly since its inception in 1966, and the percentage of people on the program has skyrocketed from just 3% to over 29%, while the poverty rate has remained relatively stable at around 11% to 15%. He called this expansion wasteful and pointed out that, according to randomized control trials, people who don’t pay for their healthcare services tend to abuse the system, resulting in excessive spending without any real health improvement.
In a separate development, Democrats and some Republicans have been vocal about the impact of the proposed reforms, with Sen. Josh Hawley noting that about 1.3 million Missourians rely on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). He emphasized that most of these individuals are working people who cannot afford private insurance and expressed concern about the impact of the bill on their health access.
Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders has criticized the bill as a ‘death sentence for the working class,’ arguing that the proposed changes would raise health insurance ‘copayments for poor people.’ However, Agresti refuted this claim by stating that the bill does not raise copayments for individuals living below the poverty line. Instead, it reduces the maximum copayment from $100 per visit to $35 per visit for those above the poverty line, while ensuring that those who truly need Medicaid coverage can access it without financial barriers.
Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett also responded to criticisms, acknowledging that Republicans want to ensure ‘poor people’ are not ‘left to die’ and called for more targeted policies that benefit low-income individuals. Meanwhile, the White House and Republicans have objected to the use of data from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to back up Democrat claims about the number of people who would lose coverage, emphasizing that not all proposals evaluated were in the final version of the legislation.
Agresti further argued that the narrative that the bill would cut benefits for poor working Americans is unfounded. He emphasized the need to balance accessibility with fiscal responsibility, calling for reforms that ensure Medicaid serves those in genuine need while addressing waste and fraud. The debate over Medicaid reform highlights the complex political and policy considerations at play, with both sides citing various reports and data to support their positions.
Some Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley, have expressed concern that the bill would negatively impact the millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid. They have highlighted the challenges some working individuals face in affording private insurance, arguing that the proposed reforms should not come at the cost of health access for those in need. The dispute underscores the broader debate over healthcare policy, with Democrats emphasizing the importance of accessibility while Republicans focus on fiscal responsibility and efficiency in government programs.