Republicans in Congress are now considering significant cuts to federal healthcare spending as a way to help fund a massive budget bill that could include up to $200 billion for the Iran war and immigration enforcement. This move is definitely going to spark some serious controversy, opening up the GOP to some tough election-year criticism about slashing healthcare to pay for a war that’s not exactly popular.
According to Axios, top House Republicans are exploring various healthcare offsets, much like they did during last year’s budget debate. That earlier debate led to deep cuts in federal Medicaid spending and even introduced work requirements for the first time. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) mentioned that they’re looking into “items right now, especially in the areas of fraud and waste and abuse that we’re working through with our members.”
