I n a striking turn of events, the Republican-led "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) is poised to enact significant cuts to Medicare, a program that serves as a lifeline for millions

Medicaid is facing major cuts—will Medicare be next? Lawmakers are eyeing reforms, but experts warn of serious consequences.

New rules would restrict access to the low-income health insurance program, punish states covering undocumented children, and shift costs to states.

Fiscal responsibility means making smart investments that prevent higher costs down the line. That’s why taxpayers should be sounding the alarm about proposals to slash Medicaid. Because cutting Medicaid doesn’t just hurt the most vulnerable — it also increases government spending in the Medicare program.

Experts at the University of California, Riverside, weigh in on what impact these cuts could have. Bruce Link is a distinguished professor of public policy and sociology; Richard Carpiano is a professor of public policy; and Sanya Dhama is a first-year medical student.

Lawmakers tussle over a federal budget bill that includes a Medicare rate increase for clinicians starting in 2026.