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Post Reports

Millions rely on Medicaid for health care. Will Congress cut it?

Post Reports

The Washington Post

Daily News, Politics, News

4.45.1K Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

House Republicans are trying to push President Donald Trump’s massive tax and immigration bill across the finish line this week, hoping to conquer internal divisions and tee up a vote that would send the bill to the Senate.

One of the areas targeted for major cuts is Medicaid, which insures more than 80 million people in the United States. To root out what they say is waste, fraud and abuse in the system, and preserve the program long term, conservatives have proposed reductions and changes to Medicaid eligibility.

Today on “Post Reports,” Elahe Izadi speaks with health reporter Fenit Nirappil about the United States’ largest public health insurance program: What it is, how it works, whom it serves and what could change.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Lenny Bernstein and Azi Paybarah.

Check out our Memorial Day sale to subscribe to The Washington Post. It’s just $2, every four weeks, for your first year. 

Transcript

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1:08.7

We're so excited to welcome you as a subscriber. Okay, here's today's show.

1:15.8

Last Tuesday, at 6 in the morning, Katie Corkin, her husband, and two of her kids left their home in Amy, Louisiana, and flew to Washington, D.C.

1:26.9

It was not an easy trip.

1:29.3

Her 18-year-old Connor has multiple disabilities.

1:32.8

He's nonverbal.

1:34.1

He can't move on his own.

1:35.6

He's in a wheelchair.

1:37.1

Connor weighs about 100 pounds.

1:39.0

His wheelchair is 100 pounds.

1:40.8

It does not break down, so you have to, like, they have to put it underneath the plane.

1:45.3

And people don't understand how frightful that is. Like, I'm giving these airport workers his

...

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