'Work harder': Tennessee Republican swears cuts to Medicaid actually help people

Republican Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN) attempted to justify his support for the 2026 budget bill, which includes cuts to Medicaid, as ultimately benefiting his state.

Speaking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Fleischmann said that if Republicans can "grow the economy" with President Donald Trump's tax cuts, it can trickle down to the poor.

"We have a situation that if we reduce taxes on corporations, on hardworking Americans, on senior citizens, they will go out and work harder," said Fleischmann. Most senior citizens retire in their late 60s, rather than "work harder."

Fleischmann explained that he has a "belief" that the U.S. will see "money come into the treasury."

He went on to acknowledge that "at some point in time," they must examine spending to reduce the national debt.

"These are things that even as an appropriator, 75% of the federal budget is mandatory spending programs, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, [and] interest on the national debt," said Fleischmann. He then added 85% for the Affordable Care Act and other programs, bringing the total to 160%.

Blitzer hammered him on the impact of Medicaid cuts, which will result in the loss of healthcare for nearly 300,000 people in his state, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Meanwhile, the bill also dramatically increases the national debt, the host noted.

"You'll agree with me on that," Blitzer asked.

But Fleischmann refused, sticking to his claim that tax cuts to the top percentage of wage earners would trickle down and help the economy.

"Not necessarily. If we have the growth and growth of revenue because of reduced access," claimed Fleischmann. "Remember, in my ethos, reduced taxes on hardworking Americans will ultimately mean more money for the treasury, because people will be incentivized to go out and work more."

He then promised Medicare "was not touched. It is safe. It is going to be safe for our seniors," and those claiming otherwise are just trying to scare people. As for seniors who might lose Medicaid funding, CBS News reported that as much as a quarter of all nursing homes could falter.

"But a lot of folks in Tennessee are going to lose Medicaid right now. You know that, right?" Blitzer asked.

Fleischmann disputed that fact, claiming that it was only "illegals" who were going to lose coverage.

"Not necessarily. A lot of illegals will. And a lot of people who perhaps all across the country can actually work what this bill does, and I fervently believe this, it actually makes a situation where if somebody is truly needy, it actually protects their benefits," he promised.

See the clip below or at the link here.

- YouTubeyoutu.be