Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu controversially asserted that Americans would accept eliminating Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, along with raising the retirement age, to reduce the national debt. Sununu made these remarks during a CNN appearance, arguing that current retirement ages are unrealistic for younger generations. This statement directly contradicts the White House’s repeated assurances that these programs will not be cut. The exchange sparked significant online debate, with some users expressing outrage while others suggested compromises such as adjusting benefits based on increased lifespans.
Read More
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a reduction of 10,000 full-time employees, adding to 10,000 voluntary departures, resulting in a workforce reduction from approximately 82,000 to 62,000. This restructuring, including a consolidation of divisions and regional offices, aims to save $1.8 billion annually and prioritize combating chronic illness through initiatives focused on food safety, clean water, and toxin elimination. While HHS assures the continuation of essential services like Medicare and Medicaid, public health experts express concerns about the feasibility of maintaining service levels given existing workloads and potential impacts on state and local health departments. The changes have been met with criticism from unions and health organizations who warn of detrimental effects on public health and healthcare access.
Read More
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that House Republicans’ budget blueprint, designed to enable President Trump’s legislative agenda, necessitates drastic cuts to Medicare or Medicaid to meet its spending reduction targets. The CBO’s analysis revealed that, excluding Medicare, the $880 billion target is far beyond the $581 billion in spending under the Energy and Commerce Committee’s purview. This leaves Republicans in a difficult position, as achieving their goal requires either significant cuts to Medicaid or revising their budget resolution. Democrats strongly oppose these potential cuts, framing them as detrimental to working-class Americans. Despite President Trump’s assertions to the contrary, some House Republicans have indicated a willingness to make changes to Medicaid.
Read More
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are falsely claiming millions of deceased individuals are receiving Social Security benefits to justify drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These cuts, totaling over $1 trillion, aim to fund massive tax cuts for the wealthy, despite previous promises to protect these programs. This assertion, amplified by figures like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, ignores the fact that improper Social Security payments are less than 1 percent of total benefits. The proposed cuts, alongside Republican budget plans, would severely impact vital government programs to achieve these tax reductions.
Read More
Donald Trump and Elon Musk are falsely claiming millions of deceased individuals are receiving Social Security benefits to justify drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. These cuts, aiming for over $1 trillion in savings, would fund massive tax cuts for the wealthy, despite previous promises not to touch these programs. This assertion, amplified by figures like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, ignores the fact that less than 1 percent of Social Security benefits are improperly paid, according to a recent report. Republican budget proposals, aligned with Trump’s plan, would exacerbate the issue with significant cuts to essential programs.
Read More
Representative Greg Lopez (R-Colo.) confirmed that cuts to Social Security and Medicare are under consideration, stating that reducing the national debt necessitates evaluating these programs. This statement was made outside the first meeting of the newly formed House DOGE Caucus, a group supporting an advisory commission led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, both known critics of the programs. The caucus, with overwhelmingly Republican membership, aims to reduce government spending, raising concerns among advocates about potential cuts to vital social safety nets. While some members remained noncommittal, the meeting highlighted growing momentum within the Republican party to reform entitlement programs.
Read More
Despite widespread public opposition to cuts, Republican politicians continue to propose changes to Social Security, citing the need for budget trimming. Prominent figures like Representatives McCormick and Lee, along with Elon Musk, have openly advocated for reforms, even framing Social Security as unsustainable. However, past attempts to reform Social Security, such as President Bush’s privatization plan, have met with significant public backlash and failed. While President-elect Trump’s stance on the issue remains inconsistent, his other policy proposals, like mass deportations and tariff increases, could indirectly impact Social Security funding and necessitate future benefit reductions.
Read More
Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new Department of Government Efficiency, targeting Social Security for cuts. This aligns with statements from key Republican figures including Senator Mike Lee, Congressman Richard McCormick, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, all suggesting plans to overhaul or cut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The Republican party’s control of Congress and the White House indicates a high likelihood of these cuts, despite widespread public opposition. The coming legislative battle will test the Republicans’ willingness to act against public opinion and the Democrats’ ability to mount effective resistance.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker