Sen. Josh Hawley Says Republican Medicaid Reforms Are ‘Politically Suicidal’

Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley slammed fellow GOP lawmakers’ attempts to slash Medicaid funding, calling the move “morally wrong” and “politically suicidal” amid ongoing budget reconciliation negotiations.

Hawley wrote a rebuke of the House Republicans’ Medicaid reform proposals in a New York Times op-ed. arguing that it threatened an entitlement program that serves millions of Americans. The senator warned that cuts would devastate working-class families and rural hospitals while alienating voters who depend on these services.

“If Congress cuts funding for Medicaid benefits, Missouri workers and their children will lose their health care. And hospitals will close. It’s that simple,” Hawley argued. Missouri is among 40 states that have expanded Medicaid, with approximately 21% of the state’s residents benefiting from Medicaid or CHIP, according to the senator.

Hawley advocated for capping prescription drug costs, arguing that such measures can alleviate financial burdens on families. He also called for providing tax breaks to families with children.

Hawley argued that GOP voters have shown strong support for maintaining and even expanding Medicaid. He noted public backing for Missouri’s Medicaid expansion, which was passed via ballot initiative in 2020. This measure was supported even as the state favored Republican candidates.

“It’s safe to say the Trump coalition was not pulling the lever for Medicaid cuts in November,” the senator wrote, noting a poll that found 63% of Republicans expressed support for Medicaid and 44% said either they or a family member have been on the program. (RELATED: House GOP Targets ‘Big Abortion,’ Child Sex Change Procedures In Sweeping Reform To Medicaid)

.⁦@HawleyMO⁩ says cutting Medicaid is “both morally wrong and politically suicidal.” https://t.co/06p8YNRp59

— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) May 12, 2025

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, tasked with identifying at least $880 billion in cuts over ten years for President Trump’s budget priorities, unveiled sweeping changes to Medicaid that would reduce the program’s rolls by an estimated 8.5 million people by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

House E&C Chairman and Republican Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie defended the proposed reform, arguing it “preserves and strengthens Medicaid for children, mothers, people with disabilities and the elderly — for whom the program was designed.”

The reforms include provisions to defund Planned Parenthood, ban coverage for child sex change procedures, and impose work requirements on able-bodied adults. Speaker Mike Johnson has set a goal of $1.5 trillion in total savings. He can only afford to lose three GOP votes, assuming full attendance.

Despite criticism from Democrats like New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, who accused Republicans of making “devastating Medicaid cuts so billionaires can get another tax break,” former President Trump has maintained that he has no plans to cut entitlement programs.

“We are doing absolutely nothing to hurt Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, nothing at all,” Trump said during a NewsNation town hall April 30 with Chris Cuomo, adding that his focus is on eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in the system.

The House GOP hopes to pass the budget reconciliation package before the Memorial Day recess, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggesting the upper chamber could pass the legislation by July 4.