(The Center Square)–As congressional Republicans struggle to find ways to reduce federal spending on Medicaid without affecting vulnerable people, some have eyed shifting part of the cost burden onto states.
To finance President Donald Trump’s expensive priorities laid out in the Republican $5.8 trillion budget reconciliation framework, which includes extending the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, House committees must find varying levels of spending cuts in other areas of the federal government.
Energy and Commerce, the House committee that oversees Medicaid, must find $880 billion in spending reductions over the next ten years, or about $88 billion per year. Even though the bill does not specify where the committee must find the money, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that $581 billion of those savings must come from Medicaid.
Medicaid costs roughly $900 billion taxpayer dollars per year, with the federal government shouldering roughly two-thirds of that spending and state governments covering the rest.
With experts split on whether federal spending reductions in the program would necessarily harm state budgets and needy recipients would necessarily, the American Legislative Exchange Council is highlighting some successful state reforms that have lowered Medicaid spending.
ALEC Health and Human Services Task Force Director, Brooklyn Roberts, told The Center Square that the existing budget reconciliation activities provide a rare opportunity to “open up the hood” on Medicaid spending and sustainability, both on the federal and state level.
“States are the laboratories of democracy, and I think they can innovate and figure out ways to set up their programs and save money if we just give them the freedom to do so,” Roberts said. “We’re not really taking a position on what the reforms are going to look like at the national level; we’re focused on how the states can adapt to whatever happens on the federal side.”
Under the Biden administration, Medicaid spending shot up 20% and expanded program eligibility beyond low-income seniors; families with children; and pregnant mothers with their infants to able-bodied, childless adults. This means that even if Republicans find all $880 billion in savings via Medicaid cuts, federal funding to the program will still grow, just at a slower rate.
But given that most states have also expanded Medicaid eligibility – and many are now struggling under that burden – program reforms can help states adjust to whatever changes happen at the federal level.
“A lot of states, especially states that have expanded Medicaid, are facing these huge financial challenges trying to shoulder the full cost,” Roberts said. “It’s almost a third of most state budgets. So they need to be looking at what types of services they’re providing and then making sure that coverage is going to the people who truly need it.”
A large part of that includes identifying and preventing improper payments and fraud, she said.
“You’ve got Indiana, who just passed SB2, that is focusing on program integrity and making sure that the people who are on the program are the people who truly should be. That requires yearly eligibility verification, [and] it requires that those verifications are matched against federal databases, which are the strongest predictor of fraud.”
Besides simply rolling back Medicaid expansion, other cost-cutting options available include transitioning over to a managed care type of system, like Idaho is considering, or implementing work requirements for some recipients, like Arkansas is doing.
“Medicaid is not a permanent solution – it’s supposed to help people transition to private and other insurance,” Roberts said. “[States] need to be working at looking at the types of reforms that best fit their population.”
Americans are wary of any major changes to the program that more than 71 million rely on for healthcare coverage. The Center Square’s Voters’ Voice poll, one of only six national tracking polls in the United States, shows that the vast majority of Americans do not want any spending reductions to Medicaid.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
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The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
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As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
