Don Bacon Defends Senator Tillis on 'Big Beautiful Bill' Medicaid Provisions

Senator Tillis's Criticism of the Senate Bill

• 🎯 Senator Tillis is accurately stating that White House advisers are not being truthful about the Senate version of the bill's impact on Medicaid.
• ⚠️ The Senate bill, unlike the House version, is criticized for potentially breaking President Biden's promise not to remove eligible citizens from Medicaid.

Concerns with the Senate's Medicaid Provisions

• 🏥 The House version of the bill was considered clean and defensible, particularly its work requirements and removal of ineligible individuals, leading to significant savings.
• 📉 The Senate has added provisions that could lower the money going to states that apply Medicaid and eventually reduce fees to hospitals.
• 💡 Congressman Bacon advocates for improving the House bill rather than accepting the Senate's additions, emphasizing the careful work done on Medicaid in the House.

Potential Legislative Path Forward

• 🏛️ There is discussion among House members about modifying the Senate bill back to the House version before a final vote.
• 📞 Bacon has been actively contacting senators, the White House, and the Speaker to encourage the Senate to align its bill closer to the House's Medicaid provisions.
• 📝 Amendments are being considered on the House floor to fix the current issues with the bill.

Congressman Bacon's Decision to Not Seek Re-election

• 🏡 Bacon announced he will not seek re-election, despite believing he could win his district, due to the demanding nature of the job (14-hour days, five days a week).
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He wishes to spend more time with his wife, family, and grandchildren after 10 years in Congress and 30 years in the Air Force.
• ✅ He highlights his legislative effectiveness, having passed more legislation than most other members of Congress in recent years.