CNN's Dana Bash pressed Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, about the proposed Medicaid cuts in the mega spending bill being taken up by the House Wednesday.
The Senate passed the bill Tuesday with an 80-hour per month work requirement, as well as additional co-pays for Medicaid recipients. President Donald Trump has been pressuring House Republicans to have the bill on his desk by July 4.
Bash cited nonpartisan estimates saying that 17 million Americans would lose health coverage under the Senate's version of the bill.
"Seventy-one percent of Missouri adults enrolled in Medicaid already work," Bash said. "So, what is your message to those people...many of whom are very worried, likely, that they're going to lose their Medicaid coverage."
Smith answered that according to the Congressional Budget Office, "Of the 17 million that you just gave, they broke it down who's going to be losing. Four-point-eight million is able bodied, healthy adults with no kids who simply just won't work once this work requirement takes effect...the children's not going to be affected; it's the able-bodied healthy adults."
"So, people will be affected," Bash said. "And I know that you know President Trump promised no cuts to Medicaid...My question for you is what do you say right now to Americans, to people in your district, who may lose their coverage? Are you prepared to stand behind this when and if it becomes law and they come to you as constituents extremely upset about losing their coverage?"
"More than 80% of the people in my congressional district believe in Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied, healthy adults. And that is, in fact, what this bill does," Smith answered, adding, "And if you look at polling nationwide, 80% of Americans support work requirements for able-bodied adults."
Experts argue that if enacted into law, the work requirements could disproportionately affect caregivers, as well as those with disabilities and chronic conditions.
