Kansas Second District Congressman Derek Schmidt says there are some concerns about the One Big Beautiful Bill, but he sees more benefits than drawbacks as the bill nears a final vote in the House.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Thursday, Schmidt said there are several benefits when it comes to tax policy.
Concerns about Medicaid, in part with projections of up to 12 million Americans losing coverage and in part with forecasts of rural hospital closures, have helped to solidify opposition from Democrats and softened support amongst certain Republicans. Schmidt says coverage concerns were misplaced with the House version because it focuses on eliminating people who shouldn’t receive services while adding work requirements before people can be eligible. He also says there is time to adjust the Senate version.
For rural hospitals at risk of closure, Schmidt says things don’t change with the House bill. The aforementioned changes in the Senate come with a new pool of money.
Schmidt says the bill makes good on a promise to improve border security, which many Kansans support.
Projected impacts on the federal deficit vary widely. Democrats say the Senate version will add over $3 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years, while the White House says the number is around $1.4 trillion.
