Republicans have insisted for months that they weren’t cutting Medicaid.
But now, Fox News is reporting that the latest GOP-backed budget proposal could result in 13.7 million Americans losing coverage over the next decade.
David Pakman, host of the David Pakman Show, posted on X: “Republicans swore they weren’t cutting Medicaid. Now even Fox is admitting 13.7 million people will lose coverage. The cruelty isn’t a bug — it’s the whole plan.”
The Cuts Are Real, and They’re Big
He also summed up the backlash on his show: “We are now moving from the ‘of course we would never do that’ phase to the ‘of course we’re doing that, it’s what’s good for the country’ phase.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed that the House Republicans’ proposed plan, which includes major Medicaid cuts, work requirements, and more frequent eligibility checks, would impact nearly 14 million people if enacted.
Critics like Pakman argue this isn’t about fiscal responsibility.
“This is about taking healthcare away for millions of people so that tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy can be protected,” he said on his show.
A Shift From Denial to Justification
For months, Republican lawmakers publicly denied that their budget plans would touch Medicaid.
Now, they’re shifting their messaging, saying the cuts are about reining in spending and promoting self-reliance. But skeptics say it’s part of a longer-term strategy.
“The cruelty is not some unfortunate consequence,” Pakman said. “This is what they really want to do. This is the whole strategy.”
Online Reaction: Fraud, Illegals, and Anger
Social media reactions to the news reveal a deep divide.
Some commenters supported the cuts, claiming Medicaid is bloated with fraud or exploited by undocumented immigrants.
“Able bodied adults and illegal immigrants absolutely SHOULD NOT be covered under Medicaid,” one user wrote.
Another asked, “Are they 13.7 million illegals???”
Others pushed back against this narrative.
One user wrote,”This is by design. Stripping health care from millions to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires isn’t an accident, it’s the GOP playbook.”
Another added, “Didn’t Republicans say as recently as two, three weeks ago that they’re not cutting Medicaid? They did say it, and they were lying.”
“This isn’t fundamentally a budget issue,” Pakman said.
“This is about taking healthcare away from millions of people so that tax cuts for the ultra wealthy can be protected. They know exactly who it hurts. Families and seniors, and people with disabilities.”
One Australian commenter noted how vital public healthcare is: “The difference in cost between having Medicare and not is massive… I take five medications, one for heart palpitations.”
Work Requirements and Eligibility Checks
The bill introduces work requirements and increases eligibility checks, both of which cost money to enforce.
Critics say these policies are designed to reduce enrollment, not improve the program.
Fox News itself reported on the impact of the proposed cuts, acknowledging the 13.7 million figure from the CBO.
That marked a turning point in public perception, as even right-leaning media began to cover the scale of the changes.
What Comes Next?
Pakman urged viewers to recognize what’s at stake: “That is something that pays for long-term care… It keeps NICU babies alive. It helps people afford blood pressure meds or chemo. This is what will get ripped away if this budget goes through.”
While Republican leaders argue the changes are necessary to make the program sustainable, critics believe the opposite.
Whether voters will hold lawmakers accountable remains to be seen.
But for now, the debate over Medicaid is no longer about whether it will be cut, but about how deep the cuts will go and who will pay the price.