FRANKFORT, Ky. — Early this morning, the U.S. House passed President Donald Trump’s so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill," which enacts many of his domestic policy initiatives.
In a narrow 215-214 vote, the House passed the bill in the early morning hours aimed at enacting President Trump’s major policy initiatives, including no tax on tips, expanded child tax credits and tax relief for seniors.
“I believe it’s the biggest bill of its kind ever in the history of this country,” Trump said.
Most contention over the 1,100 page bill is over $500 billion in cuts to Medicaid. The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy said the state would see second largest cut to a state’s Medicaid program and see the fifth largest coverage loss.
“This would translate to an estimated $1.7 billion cut to Kentucky’s Medicaid program, terminating health coverage for as many as 345,000 people across the state,” said Dustin Pugel, policy director for Kentucky Policy.
Advocates with the Kentucky Medicaid Defense Coalition said rural hospitals and community health centers serving lower income Kentuckians would be shuttered with the proposed cuts.
“Medicaid is the largest payer source for our health care clinic. It’s what keeps our doors open,” said Melissa Mather with Family Health Centers.
Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said the bill will lead to more Kentuckians without health care access, lack of funds for hospitals and kids and seniors going hungry.
“It’s wrong, it’s cruel, and it’s going to put any of the policies they want to pass is going to be borne by those losing their health care coverage,” Beshear said.
The bill carves out work exceptions for the disabled, people over 65 and people under 19. The Republican Party of Kentucky argues the cuts are reigning in so-called abuse of the program.
“There’s millions of people out there that are able-bodied. It’s not that they can’t work, it’s that they’re choosing not to work. So really what it’s doing is doing an overhaul and getting it under control,” said RPK spokesperson, Andy Westberry.
The Big Beautiful Bill cuts $5 trillion in taxes. Republicans say it’s a bill aimed at supporting working families.
“This is a bill that supports blue-collar, working class Americans. It falls right in line with what President Trump said he was going to do,” Westberry said.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to undergo some changes.
Republican representatives James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Hal Rogers and Andy Barr supported the bill.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Crescent Springs, was one of two Republicans to vote with the Democrats against the bill.
