As Congressional Republicans push to pass President Donald Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful bill,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a stark warning about the legislation.
The bill, which has faced withering criticism for its proposals to slash Medicaid, make the Trump tax cuts permanent and increase immigration enforcement spending, is being debated by the House on Wednesday after passing the Senate earlier this week.
Pritzker, a frequent critic of the president, didn’t mince words about the bill’s proposals.
“Congressional Republicans are forcing through the largest cuts to Medicaid in our nation’s history. Blood will be on the hands of Donald Trump and his cronies as they hand tax cuts to those who don’t need them over working families. Now is the time to fight back and speak out,” he said.
The bill’s proposal could slash up to $930 billion in Medicaid funding over the next 10 years, according to estimates. According to NBC News, up to 72 million people in the United States rely on Medicaid for health care. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, the changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act in the bill could result in up to 12 million people losing health insurance by 2034.
The bill will require Medicaid recipients to prove their eligibility twice per year, and would gradually reduce federal Medicaid contributions to states.
As part of the Trump-backed bill, Republicans proposed adding Medicaid work requirements for “able-bodied” adults between 19 and 64, with exceptions for those with dependents under the age of 14.
SNAP benefits would also be impacted, with able-bodied adults under the age of 65 required to work 80 hours per month, with exceptions if they have children under 10.
The federal government also plans to limit reimbursement to states for Medicaid care, potentially costing rural hospitals up to $50 billion in funding over the next decade, according to the American Hospital Association.
Republicans proposed creating a rural hospital fund of roughly $25 billion, but critics have panned the measure as being far from sufficient.
According to estimates by Manatt Health, rural hospitals would stand to lose up to 21 cents of every dollar they receive in Medicaid funding if the bill passes. What’s more, the National Rural Health Association reports that nearly half of all children and one-in-five adults in small towns and rural areas rely on Medicaid or CHIP for health insurance, leaving them in a potentially dangerous position if cuts are enacted.
According to the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, of Illinois’ 79 rural hospitals, 23 have seen losses of services in recent years, with 17 at-risk of closing.
Overall, hospitals could lose up to $300 billion in funding, according to the Urban Institute.
According to NBC News, overall the legislation will decrease revenues by $4.5 trillion over the next 10 years while reducing spending by $1.2 trillion, increasing the national debt by $3.3 trillion.
Among the proposed changes is a temporary increase in the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which would allow Americans to deduct up to $40,000 per year for up to five years from their federal taxes. It would go back to $10,000 a year after five years.
The bill also exempts tips and overtime pay from federal income taxes through 2028. Those tips would still be subject to Medicare and Social Security taxes, however.
It also includes up to $150 billion in immigration enforcement measures, including building a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
The measure passed the Senate Tuesday after Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tiebreaking vote, with Republican Sens. Thom Tillis, Rand Paul and Susan Collins all voting no.
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