Senate conservatives are reconsidering their push for a vote on an amendment that would reduce the federal share of Medicaid funding for those under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. The proposal, initially intended to be part of a broader deal on President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill, has faced internal resistance within the Republican Party. Rick Scott, a Florida senator and a vocal proponent of the amendment, is leading the effort, but several GOP senators warned against the deep cuts despite other provisions in the bill that would reduce Medicaid funding by nearly $800 billion.
The amendment, which would scale back federal support for newly enrolled patients starting in 2031, has sparked concerns over its impact on coverage for millions of Americans. While the federal government traditionally covers half of all Medicaid costs, the state covers the rest, but under the expansion, the federal share is 90 percent. Scott’s proposal would cut that to 50 percent for newly enrolled individuals, with grandfathered patients receiving the 9,00 percent rate for those enrolled before the cutoff. Critics argue that such a move could severely affect access to healthcare for millions, raising concerns over the financial and social cost of the policy.
Despite the opposition, the bipartisan support for the megabill, which includes the amendment, has been growing. However, the internal Republican caution on the amendment has created uncertainty about its future. While Scott’s fight highlights the willingness of some Republicans to curtail the Medicaid expansion, others are concerned over the implications. The federal government’s decision to reduce Medicaid support could lead to a significant number of individuals losing coverage, with estimates suggesting 11.8 million could lose insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.