GOP Cutting Medicaid?

Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., is standing firm behind the Republican-led push to overhaul Medicaid, calling the reforms “essential to rescue a program that’s been hijacked by fraud, waste, and illegal immigration.”

In a new opinion piece published Wednesday, Barrasso—who spent over 20 years as a practicing physician—warned that Medicaid is no longer serving the people it was designed to help. Instead, he said, it’s become bloated, broken, and buried in red tape, threatening to bankrupt the system.

GOP Bill Targets Fraud, Cuts Spending, Blocks Illegal Immigrants

The Senate Finance Committee this week introduced a major domestic policy package aimed at reining in runaway spending and restoring accountability. The plan includes targeted Medicaid cuts, along with work requirements for able-bodied adults, and most importantly, a ban on illegal immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits.

“Medicaid has stretched far beyond its original mission,” Barrasso wrote. “It was never intended to serve millions of non-citizens.”

Barrasso pointed to 1.4 million illegal immigrants currently on Medicaid, which he said clogs up clinics and makes it harder for hardworking Americans to receive timely care.

Fighting Back Against Washington Waste and Abuse

According to Barrasso, the bill would also root out massive government waste, addressing long-standing abuse that has drained taxpayer dollars for years.

“We are cleaning up a program that’s been exploited by Washington elites and abused by those who never paid into the system,” he said.

The plan reinforces personal responsibility, requiring work from able-bodied adults who want to stay on Medicaid—a proposal overwhelmingly supported by voters.

Protecting the Truly Vulnerable: Seniors, Children, the Disabled

Barrasso emphasized that the GOP reforms will not harm those who need help the most. Instead, they will protect access for low-income seniors, children, and Americans with disabilities—the very people Medicaid was designed to support.

“We are not cutting care for the vulnerable—we are rescuing Medicaid from collapse,” Barrasso said. “If we don’t act now, this vital safety net will disappear.”

Republicans Are Leading. Democrats Are Silent.

While Democrats focus on expanding entitlements without accountability, Republicans are offering real solutions that protect the taxpayer and uphold the values of work, responsibility, and legal citizenship.

“This isn’t about politics,” Barrasso concluded. “It’s about saving Medicaid for the Americans who actually earned it.”

BOTTOM LINE: Medicaid Needs Reform — And Republicans Are Getting It Done

Medicaid is being overwhelmed by abuse, drained by illegal use, and sabotaged by bad policy. The Republican plan restores integrity, enforces law and order, and ensures Medicaid serves citizens who truly qualify.