Sen. John Kennedy: The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Isn’t a Medicaid Cut—It’s a Medicaid Cleanup
In a recent op-ed, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has come to the defense of the 2025 reconciliation bill, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB), arguing that the legislation will fortify Medicaid rather than gut it.
The op-ed, published in The Times-Picayune and The Advocate, directly addresses what Kennedy calls “lies” and “scare tactics” from political opponents, primarily Democrats, who claim the bill will slash Medicaid benefits for vulnerable Americans.
“If you believe that,” Kennedy writes, “you also believe in the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny, and that Jimmy Hoffa died of natural causes.”
According to Kennedy, the OBBB will make Medicaid “stronger than ever” by implementing several key reforms. He refutes the idea of benefit cuts, stating that anyone losing benefits under the new law was not eligible for them in the first place. He points to a projected 2.7% annual growth rate for Medicaid over the next decade as evidence that the program is not being cut.
The op-ed outlines several specific provisions of the OBBB aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of Medicaid. Kennedy states that the bill will stop states like California, Illinois, and Minnesota from extending Medicaid access to illegal immigrants, a practice he claims has provided benefits to an estimated 1.4 million individuals in violation of federal law.
Kennedy also highlights measures to combat fraud. He cites the case of a woman in Louisiana who allegedly underreported her income to receive benefits, all while purchasing a Lamborghini and undergoing cosmetic surgery.
To prevent such abuse, the OBBB will require bi-annual income confirmation for recipients. Additionally, the new law is designed to stop “double-dipping,” where individuals are enrolled in both Medicaid and other government-subsidized programs, a practice he estimates costs taxpayers $14 billion annually.
A significant change introduced by the OBBB, as detailed by Kennedy, is a work requirement. Healthy individuals with no dependents will be required to work, look for work, go to school, or volunteer for 20 hours a week to maintain their benefits. Kennedy argues this will reserve the program for those who truly need it, such as individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, caregivers, and the elderly. “Sometimes the best way to get back on your feet is to get off your butt,” he writes.
Kennedy concludes his op-ed by suggesting that the “lies” about Medicaid cuts are a political diversion tactic. He argues that opponents of the bill, many of whom voted against it, are trying to justify their opposition to its main provision: the largest tax cut in American history.
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