It’s Time To Dismantle The Medicaid State

Democrats are up to their usual scare tactics. “When in doubt, terrify people,” is a pretty lousy way to treat the electorate, but why should we expect politicians to retire such an effective technique? The boogeyman of the day: cuts to Medicaid. 

House Republicans, tasked with identifying at least $880 billion in cuts, introduced sweeping legislative changes to Medicaid late Sunday evening. The proposals include stripping federal funding from Planned Parenthood and banning the use of Medicaid dollars for the chemical and surgical mutilation of young people, according to Politico. The usual suspects reacted with their usual hysteria.

“In no uncertain terms, millions of Americans will lose their health care coverage,” said Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey in a press release. “Hospitals will close, seniors will not be able to access the care they need, and premiums will rise for millions of people if this bill passes.”

“Half of new moms have health insurance thanks to Medicaid,” wrote Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts in a post on X. “Let’s keep fighting to protect it.” Warren performs a not-so-subtle sleight of hand. The first claim is almost true – Medicaid covers 41% of U.S. births as of 2021, reports the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It in no way follows that this is good for the country. In fact, it’s very much the opposite. Medicaid is the severely bloated government aid program par excellence. It’s time to cut it down to size.

Half of new moms have health insurance thanks to Medicaid.

Let’s keep fighting to protect it.

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) May 11, 2025

House Republicans just voted to rip health care away from up to 1.8 million New Yorkers—all to bankroll giveaways for billionaires.

Every New York Congressmember who backed this should be ashamed.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) February 26, 2025

Medicaid was originally designed to cover the most vulnerable Americans. Enrollees were physically incapacitated from working or obtaining other sources of income. These were children, the elderly, and the disabled. The program has been expanded beyond all reason, including able-bodied adults. Total federal and state Medicaid spending was projected to climb to $833.5 billion in 2024. A great portion of that figure is owed to waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimated over $50 billion in improper payments in Medicaid in the 2023 fiscal year. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California admitted that Medicaid in his state is insolvent.  The governor appealed to state lawmakers in March for a $2.8 billion loan to help cover Medi-Cal costs – this, shortly after requesting a $3.4 billion loan earlier that month. It’s little wonder, given the enormous strain of offering Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid, to illegal migrants. Here’s a more cost-effective idea: take every illegal migrant off Medicaid and then deport them to their country of origin. (RELATED: Fraud, Child Sex Changes, Healthcare For Illegals – Dems Spent Years Expanding Medicaid Beyond Recognition)

Eligibility for Americans should be reduced, too. Medicaid saw a surge in enrollment during the COVID-19 lockdowns, accumulating over 20 million new participants in a matter of three years, according to the Heritage Foundation. The House Energy and Commerce bill would introduce stricter standards for Medicaid beneficiaries, mandating that states install work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.

Republicans like Josh Hawley are misguided to suggest that Republicans must maintain the welfare state to win over working-class voters. Expanding, or sustaining, Medicaid is the antithesis of conservatism. Any recipient of taxpayer dollars should be thoroughly screened. In any case, there’s more to be gained from investing in Americans before they ever step foot in a hospital.

Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatalieIrene03