In response to Senate Republicans eyeing cuts to Medicare, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:

“A program that 66 million Americans rely on is not waste, fraud, or abuse — it’s lifesaving for the constituents of Republicans pushing to gut Medicare. Let’s be crystal clear: Trump gave Republicans the green light to gut access to lifesaving medication and rip away health insurance to fund tax handouts for billionaires. These dangerous attacks are as disgraceful as they are unpopular — and will cost Republicans their seats come the midterms.”

NEW: Senate Republicans are eyeing Medicare cuts — including Senate GOP Leader John Thune — and confirmed Trump blessed possible cuts to the program, which provides health care for over 66 million Americans. 

Politico: “Senate Republicans are eyeing possible Medicare provisions to help offset the cost of their megabill … 

“Senate Republicans are now seriously considering [Medicare cuts] as they race to pass their party-line tax and spending package before a self-imposed July 4 deadline. The idea came up in closed-door meetings this week and, crucially, some Republicans believe President Donald Trump is on board with touching the program … 

“‘I think anything that is waste, fraud and abuse are obviously open to discussions,’ Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday when asked about Medicare. …

“‘I think the focus, as you know, has been on addressing waste, fraud and abuse in Medicaid,’ Thune added … ‘But right now we’re open to suggestions if people have them about other areas where there is clearly waste, fraud and abuse that can be rooted out in any government program.’ 

“Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who was among the Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee who went to the White House Wednesday to meet with Trump … [and] told reporters he believed the president was more amenable to making Medicare changes than he might have previously let on. …

“Asked if there was any consideration of including Medicare as part of the megabill, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) said, ‘There is on the Senate Republican side.’” 

Axios: “Senate GOP eyes Medicare cuts with Trump’s blessing”

“President Trump gave Republican senators a green light to explore ways to save money on Medicare during a meeting at the White House, senators said Thursday.”

Trump is hellbent on targeting Medicare, despite the American people’s overwhelming support for the program. 

White House: “The following executive actions are hereby revoked: …

“Executive Order 14087 of October 14, 2022 (Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Americans).”

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services: “President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 14087, ‘Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Americans,’ to further address prescription drug affordability through the work of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the Innovation Center).” 

Reuters: “Trump signs healthcare executive order that includes a win for pharma companies” 

“U.S. President Donald Trump directed his health department on Tuesday to work with Congress on revamping a law that allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, seeking to introduce a change the pharmaceutical industry has lobbied for.” 

Bloomberg: “HHS Lays Off Lawyers Executing the Medicare Drug Price Cuts” 

KFF: “Medicare, the federal government health insurance program for adults 65 and older and some younger adults with disabilities, has maintained favorability among eight in ten adults for nearly a decade. In the January KFF Health Tracking Poll, the share who say they view the program favorably includes three-fourths of Republicans (75%) and more than eight in ten independents (84%), and Democrats (90%).”

Trump has a long history of attacking Medicare — including trying to gut the program every year of his first term and saying “there is a lot you can do” to cut Medicare. 

Joe Kernen, CNBC: “Have you changed your outlook on how to handle entitlements, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid?”

Trump: “So first of all, there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.”

Washington Post: “His avowed stance, however, is at odds with Trump’s own record as president: Each of his White House budget proposals included cuts to Social Security and Medicare programs.”

In his FY18, FY19, FY20, and FY21 budgets, Trump repeatedly proposed hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicaid.

Vox: “Trump said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare. His 2020 budget cuts all 3.”

Forbes: “Trump Floats ‘Cutting’ Spending On Entitlements Like Social Security And Medicare”

Rolling Stone: “Trump Floats Cuts to Social Security and Medicare”

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