US Senate Budget Bill Could Leave Nearly 12 Million Without Health Coverage

A proposed budget bill currently under review in the US Senate has sparked widespread concern, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warning that nearly 12 million Americans could lose their health insurance if the legislation is passed in its current form.

The bill outlines major reductions in federal spending on key healthcare programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Over the next decade, it proposes cuts amounting to approximately $1.1 trillion, aiming to reduce the national deficit. However, critics argue these savings come at a steep human cost, particularly affecting low-income groups, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

One of the most contentious elements of the bill is the introduction of stricter work requirements for Medicaid recipients, especially parents of teenage children. Additionally, the legislation would place new caps on federal tax credits that help individuals afford insurance and limit how much support states can offer through their own programs.

Health policy analysts have warned that the cuts would disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, particularly in states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Rural populations and working-class families are expected to be among the hardest hit, raising fears of widening healthcare disparities across the country.

The proposed bill has drawn backlash from public health advocates and political commentators, who argue that it undermines the healthcare safety net at a time when millions still depend on government-supported coverage. Despite earlier promises to replace the ACA with a more comprehensive plan, critics say the current proposal signals a retreat from that commitment.

As the Senate continues deliberations, the fate of millions hangs in the balance, with the healthcare of some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations potentially at risk if the bill becomes law.