Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the Medicaid provisions in President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," clarifying that Medicaid funding will increase by 20% over the next 10 years, contrary to claims of cuts. Bessent emphasized that the bill does not reduce Medicaid benefits but introduces work requirements for recipients, a policy that he noted was popular under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama and continues to have support among median Democratic voters. He highlighted that the bill aims to refocus Medicaid resources on its original target groups, including pregnant women, the disabled, and families with children under 14, while reducing fraud. Bessent also criticized media and Democratic opposition to the work requirements, arguing that such opposition underestimates the capabilities of low-income individuals. The debate was notably highlighted during a televised exchange with CNN's Dana Bash, where Bessent fact-checked her assertions in real time. Supporters of the work requirements argue that they promote employment and self-sufficiency, with some Republicans framing the policy as common sense and a means to break cycles of dependency.
Democrats will lie about any change to Medicaid. The truth? Able-bodied adults should work. https://t.co/2FRCRgklPh
Work requirements for Medicaid are just common sense. First signed into law by President Clinton, they remain widely supported today. Securing the border and bringing jobs back is how we break the cycle of government dependence and restore opportunity for all Americans. https://t.co/KzjRsgwN2e
Sec. Scott Bessent on Medicaid, “There are no change in benefits. There's a change in requirements to get the benefits...” https://t.co/7vmRF71npC