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We’ve discovered a bit about American society amid the rhetoric over President Donald Trump’s “huge lovely invoice.” For instance, unauthorized immigrants don’t get Medicaid, however tens of millions of working-age adults have gone on it. We’ve additionally knocked down some false claims in regards to the invoice alongside the best way.
As of July 3, the practically 900-page measure, full of tax breaks and spending cuts, had moved towards passage however was nonetheless being debated in Congress.
Wisconsin Watch truth briefs have cleared up misstatements in regards to the invoice itself and about applications it will lower, equivalent to Medicaid and meals stamps.
Notice: Our truth briefs reply a factual query sure or no primarily based on the info accessible when the transient is revealed.
Right here’s a glance.
Would the ‘huge lovely invoice’ present the biggest federal spending lower in US historical past?
No.
The most important-cut declare was made by Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, who represents half of southeastern Wisconsin. His workplace cited a $1.7 trillion declare made by the Trump administration.
Even when the web lower have been $1.7 trillion, it will be second to a 2011 regulation that decreased spending by $2 trillion and can be the third-largest lower as a share of gross home product, in keeping with the Committee for a Accountable Federal Price range.
However when Fitzgerald made his assertion, the invoice’s internet decreases have been $1.2 trillion, after taking its spending will increase under consideration, and $680 billion after further curiosity funds on the debt.
Have tens of millions of nondisabled, working-age adults been added to Medicaid?
Sure.
Hundreds of thousands of nondisabled working-age adults have enrolled in Medicaid for the reason that Reasonably priced Care Act expanded eligibility in 2014.
Medicaid is medical health insurance for low-income folks.
The nonpartisan Congressional Price range Workplace estimated that in 2024, common month-to-month Medicaid enrollment included 34 million nonelderly, nondisabled adults — 15 million made eligible by Obamacare.
Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents most of northern Wisconsin, complained about “able-bodied” adults being added, saying they’re “draining” Medicaid.
The nonpartisan well being coverage group KFF mentioned 44% of the working-age adults on Medicaid, a few of whom are quickly disabled, labored full time and 20% half time, many for small firms, and aren’t eligible for medical health insurance.
Are unauthorized immigrants eligible for federal Medicaid protection?
No.
Unauthorized immigrants are not eligible for conventional, federally funded Medicaid and have by no means been eligible.
Fourteen states, excluding Wisconsin, use state Medicaid funds to cowl unauthorized immigrants.
Trump’s invoice proposed lowering federal Medicaid funds to these states.
Opponents of the invoice, together with Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, who represents the Madison space, mentioned Trump administration officers claimed that unauthorized immigrants obtain conventional Medicaid.
Do half the residents in a single rural Wisconsin county obtain meals stamps?
Sure.
In April, 2,004 residents of Menominee County in northeast Wisconsin obtained advantages from the federal Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP).
That’s about 46% of the county’s 4,300 residents.
SNAP, previously generally known as meals stamps and known as FoodShare in Wisconsin, gives meals help for low-income folks.
Menominee County’s price was cited by U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., on the Wisconsin Democratic Social gathering conference. He commented on the invoice’s provision to take away an estimated 3.2 million folks from SNAP, in accordance to the nonpartisan Congressional Price range Workplace.
Is Donald Trump’s megabill projected so as to add greater than $2 trillion to the nationwide debt?
Sure.
Nonpartisan analysts estimate that the “huge lovely invoice” would add a minimum of $2 trillion to the nationwide debt over 10 years.
The debt, which is the buildup of annual spending that exceeds revenues, is $36 trillion.
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., claimed the invoice would add trillions.
Amongst different issues, the invoice would make 2017 particular person earnings tax cuts everlasting, add work necessities for Medicaid and meals help, and add funding for protection and extra deportations.
After we revealed this transient, the Senate handed a model of the invoice that may enhance the debt by $3.3 trillion.
Would ‘the overwhelming majority’ of Individuals get a 65% tax enhance if the GOP megabill doesn’t change into regulation?
No.
Most Individuals wouldn’t face a tax enhance close to 65% if Trump’s 2017 tax cuts will not be prolonged below the invoice.
The tax cuts are set to expire Dec. 31.
The Tax Basis estimates that if the cuts expire, 62% of taxpayers would see a tax enhance in 2026. The common taxpayer’s enhance can be 19.4% ($2,955).
GOP U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents western Wisconsin, made the 65% declare.
Do you will have questions on this invoice and the way it impacts Wisconsin? Submit them right here, by way of our Ask Wisconsin Watch mission.
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