Speaker Mike Johnson Defends Controversial Medicaid Cuts and Imposes Work Requirements

House Speaker Mike Johnson has stirred controversy by defending the Medicaid cuts in the latest Republican-backed budget bill, signaling that millions of Americans could lose access to healthcare unless they “choose” to comply with new work and paperwork requirements. The bill, which was passed in the House last month, proposes significant changes to Medicaid eligibility, with provisions that would require able-bodied adults without children to work, volunteer, or attend education programs for at least 80 hours per month to maintain their benefits.

Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Johnson argued that the new rules were “commonsense” and suggested that the 4.8 million people affected by the changes will only lose their Medicaid coverage if they fail to meet the new work and documentation requirements. “You’re telling me that you’re going to require the able-bodied, these young men, to only work or volunteer in their community for 20 hours a week. And that’s too cumbersome for them?” Johnson said, dismissing critics who argue that the new rules will create insurmountable barriers for many low-income individuals.

The Medicaid provisions, which are part of the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill”, aim to slash $723 billion from Medicaid spending, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the cuts will result in 7.6 million people losing their insurance. Critics, however, warn that many recipients could be disqualified due to the bureaucratic hurdles, such as meeting work verification requirements or complying with stringent paperwork demands.

Johnson has been pushing back against these critiques, arguing that these measures have been long overdue and are designed to encourage self-sufficiency and reduce government dependency. However, the bill has faced fierce opposition, even from within the Republican ranks. Senators Josh Hawley and Rand Paul have voiced concerns that the aggressive cuts could backfire politically and harm the party’s image. Meanwhile, Democrats have seized on the issue, arguing that the legislation would disproportionately impact the working poor and ultimately reduce access to health care for millions of Americans.

Opposition from the public has also been fierce. Republican lawmakers such as Mike Flood and Ashley Hinson have faced vocal pushback in their home districts during town halls, with constituents expressing concerns about the negative impact of the proposed Medicaid cuts. In Iowa, Sen. Joni Ernst also encountered criticism when she attempted to defend the measure, facing backlash at a town hall event.

Johnson’s comments come as the legislation heads to the Senate for review, where it is expected to undergo revisions. Despite the growing opposition, the Speaker is confident that the bill will pass and land on President Donald Trump’s desk by July 4, marking a pivotal moment in the Republican-led effort to overhaul welfare programs.

As the debate intensifies, it’s clear that this proposal will spark further divisions within both the Republican Party and the broader public, particularly as lawmakers wrestle with the consequences of cutting essential services for some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.