Senate Majority Leader Ron Johnson has expressed confidence that the White House and Senate GOP leadership are committed to reviving provisions related to the Medicaid expansion funding that were included in President Donald Trump’s domestic policy package. Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, claims he has a firm commitment to pursue the cuts again in a future legislative effort.
Johnson, who voted in favor of Trump’s package despite his concerns over its financial projections, emphasized the importance of being involved in the process, stating that he would have ‘dealt himself out of being involved’ if the amendment was not included. He has argued that the Medicaid expansion has led to states gaming the system with exaggerated spending figures to secure more federal funds, with estimates suggesting the policy change could cut spending by $313 billion.
The proposed amendment, which was co-sponsored by Senate Finance Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Florida Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), would have ended the 9,000 percent federal cost-share at the end of 2030, with new enrollees seeing their medical costs reimbursed by the federal government at rates as low as 50 percent. However, despite Johnson’s assertions, the amendment has not yet received formal approval and remains a point of contention within the GOP, with leadership continuing to deny any formal agreements.
While Johnson insists on his commitment, senior Republicans on Capitol Hill have not confirmed any formal side deals as a condition for winning over holdouts. Scott, one of the amendment’s co-sponsors, has also stated that no commitment has been made from the White House to include his proposal in a second or third budget reconciliation package, noting that these conversations are still in the early stages.
As the debate continues, Johnson’s push for the Medicaid expansion cuts reflects a broader GOP effort to address fiscal concerns and reduce federal spending. However, the lack of concrete agreements and the ongoing opposition from moderates suggest that the outcome remains uncertain.