In an April 14 letter to House leadership, 12 House Republicans reiterated their strong backing of Medicaid and doubled down on their unwillingness to vote for a final package that includes cuts to benefits or beneficiaries.
“As Members of Congress who helped to deliver a Republican Majority, many of us representing districts with high rates of constituents who depend on Medicaid, we would like to reiterate our strong support for this program that ensures our constituents have reliable healthcare. Balancing the federal budget must not come at the expense of those who depend on these benefits for their health and economic security,” the letter says.
Though the letter expresses ongoing support for Medicaid, it also specifically supports targeted reforms that increase efficiency, transparency, and program integrity. These terms have been used recently to refer to specific mechanisms in Medicaid funding like provider taxes and could remain important in reconciliation savings. “However, we cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations, the letter adds.
Read the letter here.