Trump Changes Medicaid, Celebrating 60th Anniversary

• Medicaid celebrates its 60th anniversary, but it is under threat due to new changes.
• Trump's legislation proposes cuts to spending on medical services.
• Nearly 10 million people could lose medical coverage.

This year, Medicaid celebrates its 60th anniversary, since President Lyndon Johnson signed the law that started this program in 1965. Medicaid was created to provide health insurance to millions of low-income Americans, which has become an important achievement in U.S. social policy.

Now, by the spring of 2025, President Donald Trump signed an important piece of legislation that significantly changes Medicaid and other social assistance programs. This law, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", proposes cuts to spending of up to 1 trillion dollars over the next decade, including the introduction of new requirements for beneficiaries to receive assistance.

The changes, introduced to Medicaid, are driven by the necessity to reduce growing budget deficits and optimize spending on federal programs. According to estimates, nearly 10 million people could lose medical insurance, while about 3 million fewer people would receive assistance through the SNAP program.

Surveys show that most Americans do not believe that the government spends excessively on these programs, and many support their funding at the same level or even increased. Local governments are trying to clarify how to comply with the new requirements, whether it is necessary to raise taxes or cut other spending.

At the same time, Medicaid recipients, such as parents of teenagers and people aged 64 and older, will likely have to meet new requirements, including working 80 hours a month or participating in community service to remain on the program.

Republicans argue that these changes are necessary to reduce spending and combat fraud, while critics express concern that this will lead to increased poverty and social problems, as millions of people could be left without health insurance and basic assistance.

Tags: USA/Politics/Well-being