LOS ANGELES (OC),.–CNN’s 56-year-old host Jake Tapper works hard to appear nonpartisan in his broadcast journalism, confronting 55-year-old House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies. Discussing the government shutdown, Tapper wondered if Democrats weren’t concerned about Republican claims that they’re trying to include undocumented aliens in Medicaid legislation? Jeffries called Republicans accusations about extending benefits to undocumented alies “a lie,” making a distinction about certain state laws that hospital emergency rooms to get reimbursed from Medicaid no matter who receives treatment. Federal law requires all hospital emergency rooms to extend treatment to anyone needing emerging medical treatment. Jeffries told Tapper that the federal government, specifically the House of Representatives, couldn’t change state laws that allow Medicaid to reimburse emergency rooms.
Since the government shutdown Oct. 1, lawmakers have scrambled to find a compromise that would reinstate $1.5 trillion in Medicaid funding axed in Trump’s July 4 big beautiful bill, not realizing that Democrats would eventually shut down the government at the first opportunity that happened on Oct. 1. With Republicans controlling the White House, Senate and House, Democrats have very little clout other than to impose a government shutdown until they can get their way. Polls show that a majority of voters blame Republicans over Democrats for the current shutdown by 38% to 27% margin, according to a recent PBS poll. Most Americans believe that Medicaid funding is a top priority, not buying the GOP argument that it’s discretionary spending. Government funded health care has become essential to many Americans needed help paying for premiums.
So, when it comes to blaming Republicans for the current shutdown, Republicans have a difficult time convincing voters that the government can’t afford to pay for Medicaid, specifically subsidies from Obamacare policies. Government subsidies for Obamacare policies rely on Medicaid funding to pay portions of premiums based on income requirements. Jeffries told Tapper that Democrats were trying to save health care for 14 million American citizens, not protect health care for undocumented aliens, sometimes receiving Medicaid benefits when it’s part of state law to reimburse hospitals for emergency medical services. Tapper didn’t address the potential loss of jobs related to GOP Medicaid cuts, already a problems with the Sept. jobs report showing the country shed another 32,000 jobs. Medicaid subsidized jobs account for a substantial part of the health care industry.
Jeffries wanted to make a point to Tapper that Democrats weren’t trying to include undocumented in any federal Medicaid legislation, only reinstate funding for 14 million Americans and all the hospitals slated to lose their funding if Medicaid funds were not fully reinstated. Republicans face a real dilemma agreeing to reinstate Medicaid funding when it was the brainchild of White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, a chief architect of Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. As OMD Director, Vought should implement policy, not set policy that runs counter to bipartisan wishes. Most Republicans and Democrats agree that Medicaid funding is essential for the vast majority of Obamacare subscribers who otherwise couldn’t afford their premiums. Vought shouldn’t be setting policy for Democrats and Republicans.
Tapper wanted to confront Jeffries to show that he was nonpartisan when it came to the Medicaid debate but wanted Jeffries to clarify that Medicaid was not designed for noncitizens. “Do you not think that the provisions that provide health care for noncitizens muddles that message,” Tapper asked Jeffries. “No. You’re referring to emergency care that some states might administer based on state law. We’re talking about federal law. We don’t have any ability to change state law,” Jeffries said, not telling the whole story. Federal elected officials could very easily right into Medicaid legislations restrictions on the use of such funds. If the federal government banned the use of Medicaid for noncitizens, it would be the end of the story. But hospitals deserve reimbursement when they provide medical services to patents that present with urgent medical needs.
Democrats don’t seek Medicaid funds for noncitizens, only to assure health care protection for 14 million Americans currently enrolled in Medicaid or Obamacare that relies on Medicaid for subsidizing Obamacare policies. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said “It’s a total, absolute effing lie,” that Democrats want to fund noncitizens in the Medicaid program. Because of federal laws related to hospital emergency rooms providing care to all, it’s not unreasonable that Medicaid would be used to reimburse hospitals for care provided to noncitizens receiving care at emergency rooms. When it comes to end the stalemate to get the government running again, Republicans must agree to reinstate $1.5 trillion in Medicaid funds to save the health care of some 14 million Americans. But also important are saving hospitals in rural areas that depend on Medicaid funding.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
