Tom Corbett: GOP lawmakers should not let Medicaid become their Waterloo

America’s working and middle classes are reeling from historic inflation, high interest rates, and rising costs of goods. President Donald Trump won Pennsylvania and broke the “blue wall” on his promise to address the kitchen-table issues facing working families. Republicans now have an opportunity, if not a mandate from voters, to deliver economic relief.

Health-care coverage, access, and affordability should be top priorities. Eighty-six percent of commonwealth voters said last fall that a candidate’s position on access to affordable, comprehensive coverage was a vote-deciding factor, and President Trump’s pledge to protect Medicare and Medicaid clearly resonated.

The president has reiterated his promise many times since taking office, saying just this month that he “is not going to touch” Medicare or Medicaid. The White House website does not mince words, either: “The Trump Administration will not cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits,” it states.

Congressional leaders likewise seem to understand the importance of protecting working-class Americans’ health-care coverage — and Medicaid specifically. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said late last month that Medicaid benefits “are not on the chopping block.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) recently stood before her state legislature promising not to agree to cuts that “hurt our people or put you in a budget hole.” A group of moderate Republicans joined together to caution that “slashing Medicaid would have serious consequences” — a significant statement in a Congress where a razor-thin House majority has essentially no margin for error.

But despite these assurances, working people across Pennsylvania are concerned about the possibility of significant cuts to core programs, including Medicaid.

A recent Congressional Budget Office report on the House Republicans’ budget framework found that it would be extremely difficult for the Energy and Commerce Committee to meet its huge $880 billion reduction target without making enormous structural changes to Medicaid.

And Republican leaders have yet to expressly rule out different approaches that would cut the Medicaid program and wreak havoc with state budgets — and eventually, raise state tax rates — and still lead to significant cuts to working-class families’ benefits, coverage, and access to care.

It makes sense that Republicans have been moving at full throttle to pass a budget deal within the president’s first 100 days.

But our elected officials should slow down and carefully consider all options before making rash changes to Medicaid that could place heavy burdens on working families — and come at a heavy political cost to them.

Major cuts to Medicaid could jeopardize coverage for millions of seniors, veterans, children, and people living with disabilities. More than 72 million Americans, including almost 3.2 million Pennsylvanians, are insured by Medicaid. They need their Congress to get this right.

Major cuts to Medicaid could jeopardize coverage for millions of seniors, veterans, children, and people living with disabilities.

Contrary to how it’s often portrayed, Medicaid is not a welfare handout. Here in Pennsylvania, Medicaid covers one-third of childbirths — and three in 10 children get health care thanks to it. About one in five rural families rely on the program for their coverage.

As governor, I was hesitant to use Obamacare to expand our state’s Medicaid program. That’s not because Medicaid is bad for Pennsylvanians. In fact, after I developed a careful path forward and moved ahead, our expansion has proven beneficial.

Research shows our work on Medicaid has saved lives, saved hospitals, and helped reduce our state’s uninsured rate by nearly 40%. It has further alleviated burdens on taxpayers, resulted in 15,000 new jobs, and contributed $2.2 billion to our state’s economy.

Protecting Medicaid from damaging cuts is a key chance for today’s Republican Party to prove its populist bona fides and show it truly stands with hardworking Americans.

In a recent survey, a remarkable 96% of Americans said Medicaid is important in their community. Another poll found more than seven in 10 conservative voters who cast their ballot for President Trump believe it would be “unacceptable” for Congress to cut Medicaid.

Republican lawmakers must not allow Medicaid cuts to become their political Waterloo. President Trump has made clear he intends to protect Medicaid and the millions of hardworking men, women, and families who rely on it.

Republicans should support the president’s promise, close the door to sweeping Medicaid cuts or changes, and take the time to work together to achieve a budget that truly meets the needs of the middle class.

Tom Corbett served as the 46th governor of Pennsylvania from 2011 to 2015.