House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized on Wednesday that Republicans are committed to not making cuts to Medicaid or Medicare as they strive to pass and fund President Donald Trump's agenda. Johnson reiterated the White House's pledge to preserve Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, echoing the president's repeated assurances on the matter.
Johnson stated that the focus will be on identifying and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse within the programs, as well as seeking out efficiencies. He clarified that while the House's budget blueprint outlines significant spending reductions, they intend to achieve these savings through measures such as implementing work requirements and making other cuts, rather than imposing per capita caps on federal funding for Medicaid and Medicare.
When questioned about how the proposed cuts would be achieved without affecting Medicaid and Medicare, Johnson pointed to the potential for savings through work requirements and other adjustments. He also emphasized that per capita caps on federal funding for these programs are not being considered as part of the strategy.
Trump has consistently assured that his administration will not reduce funding for Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security, reiterating this commitment during a recent Cabinet meeting. The House GOP's plan includes a target of at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, with potential repercussions for tax-related initiatives if this goal is not met. A significant portion of the proposed savings, approximately $1 trillion, is anticipated to come from the Energy and Commerce committee, prompting concerns among some Republicans about potential reductions to Medicaid.
