Additionally, the bill makes significant spending cuts, including to the Medicaid healthcare programme for lower-income Americans as well as Snap, a food assistance programme used by more than 42 million Americans.
These cuts were the subject of intense friction among Republicans, which was finally overcome after the President travelled to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. He privately told lawmakers to put aside their objections or face consequences.
Democrats also fiercely opposed the bill and warned that the cuts could have dire consequences for millions of lower-income Americans.
“Children will get hurt. Women will get hurt. Older Americans who rely on Medicaid for nursing home care and for home care will get hurt,” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said on the House floor.
It goes way deeper than that. Cutting Medicaid funding means shutting down hospitals in rural areas. The healthcare effects of that decision are going to affect many, many more people than just the ones removed from the program. Also, as a perk, everybody’s health care costs will go up.