Republicans are rolling up their sleeves and sharpening their knives, getting ready to take a serious whack at Medicaid. Yes, the party famous for throwing tantrums about government waste is now eyeing billions of dollars in cuts that could jeopardize health care coverage for the 80 million Americans, adults and kids alike, who rely on this safety net program. Sounds like a plan, right? Let’s hurt the people who need help the most while the rich keep swimming in their cash.

During the Biden administration, the expansion of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act was hailed by Democrats as a monumental win for everyday folks. Meanwhile, Republicans are itching to trim down the $880 billion program, which is mostly funded by federal taxpayers. So what’s the grand plan? Work requirements for Medicaid, of course, because nothing says you’re impoverished like needing to punch a clock just to keep your health insurance.

Speaker Mike Johnson thinks it’s just “common sense”. Apparently, in his world, the only way to find dignity is to have a job. But fun fact: about 92% of Medicaid beneficiaries are already working, going to school, or providing care for others. But let’s not let facts get in the way of an incredible Republican hustle.

As if that’s not enough, they’re looking at slashing the Affordable Care Act’s navigator program by 90%. So good luck finding help when you’re trying to navigate the already convoluted maze of healthcare options. Can we get a collective eye roll?

States like Arkansas, South Dakota, and Ohio are already taking the initiative by trying to implement these work rules. Great idea, right? In Arkansas alone, when work requirements were introduced previously, 18,000 people lost their coverage. But who cares about those little details when it comes to cashing in big for corporations and the wealthy?

Of course, some lawmakers are pushing for states to shoulder more financial responsibility. Joan Alker from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families shared that cutting coverage doesn’t mean people stop needing health care. Surprise! Health needs will remain regardless of Medicaid’s budget.

Democrats are warning that if these cuts go through, we’ll see hospitals shutting down left and right, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas. Just what we need, more chaos in an already shaky health care system.

Look out, America! Your health care is on the menu, and it might just become a side dish in the feast for the rich. Because who needs affordable health care when you can have tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans?