In a pivotal closed-door meeting, President Trump rallied House Republicans to steer clear of drastic Medicaid cuts, advocating for the elimination of waste instead of imposing work requirements. The proposed bill threatens to slash $625 billion from a program vital to over 71 million low-income Americans, raising alarms among critics about potential harm to vulnerable populations and rising healthcare costs.

President Trump's push against significant Medicaid cuts reflects a long-standing debate over healthcare funding in the U.S. Since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965, efforts to reform these programs have faced opposition, often framed in terms of fiscal responsibility versus social welfare. Past administrations, notably Reagan's, similarly sought cuts, arguing for reduced government involvement in healthcare, which raises concerns about access for vulnerable populations today.