SEN. JOHN BARRASSO: Republicans Are Strengthening Medicaid And Fixing Democrats’ Mess

Republicans are making America safer and more prosperous. As a part of that, we are strengthening Medicaid.

I’m a doctor. I practiced medicine in Wyoming for over 20 years. I’ve cared for Medicaid patients my entire career. I understand Medicaid’s importance for the people it is intended to serve. I have also seen its shortcomings.

Medicaid became law in 1965. It was meant to be a safety net for the poor, pregnant women, children, and the disabled. Today, Medicaid has stretched beyond its intended purpose. It covers 71 million people. Many are able-bodied and working age.

As a result, Medicaid is broken, bloated and ballooning. It will go bankrupt if we don’t strengthen it now. The Republican reconciliation bill will strengthen Medicaid for those it was originally intended.

First, our bill ensures taxpayer-funded healthcare does not go to illegal immigrants. Fourteen Democrat-run states currently give free, taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants. California is the biggest offender. They set up a money laundering scheme to siphon money out of the federal Treasury to pay for healthcare for illegal immigrants.

The 1.4 million illegal immigrants on Medicaid strangles Medicaid. They are filling up waiting rooms and clinics. They make it harder for Americans to receive the care they need. Our bill will end liberal states’ magnet for illegal immigration. Medicaid benefits cannot continue to be a reward for open borders.

Second, our bill roots out waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption. The federal government has spent $1.1 trillion in improper Medicaid payments in the past 10 years. In 2021, for example, 666,000 people were enrolled in Medicaid in more than one state. The Wall Street Journal estimates these improper double-payments alone cost taxpayers $2 billion. Republicans will not allow scammers to continue to game the system and steal from taxpayers.

Third, our bill puts in place work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults. Today, 21 million able-bodied adults are on Medicaid. An American Enterprise Institute study recently found able-bodied adults on Medicaid who don’t work spend 4.2 hours every day watching TV and playing video games. That is 125 hours per month. They ought to be working – or at least looking for a job.