10 policies Republicans could use to pay for new tax cuts – msn/WaPost
Food stamps and Medicaid are on the chopping block:
“In 2021, the Biden administration unilaterally implemented the largest increase in nutrition assistance benefits in U.S. history, a move hailed by anti-poverty advocates. Slashing that expansion could save $180 billion over the next decade, the CRFB found…
“Trump and Republicans would have other options, too. Phasing in cuts to food assistance could save around $110 billion, the CRFB projects. Legislation preventing future benefits increases similar to the one Biden enacted would save another $40 billion.
Finally, The Washington Post reported in November that stricter work requirements also are under consideration. That could save another $11 billion, according to the CBO…
“Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income individuals, does not have a work requirement. In his first administration, Trump issued waivers allowing 13 states to implement work requirements (only one state ultimately followed through), but Biden rescinded that policy.
“Reversing Biden’s action would reduce federal spending by another $30 billion, according to the CRFB. Meanwhile, The Post reported in November that Republicans are considering a national Medicaid work requirement. That could save $109 billion, the CBO reported in 2023, but it also could kick tens of thousands of people off health insurance.”
Here’s what happened after Arkansas imposed Medicaid work requirements:
“We have four main findings. First, most of the Medicaid coverage losses in 2018 were reversed in 2019 after the court order. Second, work requirements did not increase employment over eighteen months of follow-up. Third, people in Arkansas ages 30–49 who had lost Medicaid in the prior year experienced adverse consequences: 50 percent reported serious problems paying off medical debt, 56 percent delayed care because of cost, and 64 percent delayed taking medications because of cost. These rates were significantly higher than among Arkansans who remained in Medicaid all year. Finally, awareness of the work requirements remained poor, with more than 70 percent of Arkansans unsure whether the policy was in effect.”