In President Trump's controversial spending bill, there are few things more controversial, including within his own party as how it changes the way states receive Medicaid funds and instead creates a $25 billion fund to support rural hospitals. Critics say that is not enough and will cost lives. So, what can Democrats do about it.Joining me now is Democratic Senator Ed Marky of Massachusetts. It's good to see you, Senator. And you and your Democratic colleagues have pointed this out that Republican healthc ...

Joining us now, Democratic Senator Chris Van Golland from Maryland. He sits on both the budget and appropriations committee. Senator, we appreciate your time on a very busy day.First, you called the budget bill, quote, a fraud on the American people that would make even Enrod scammers blush. Strong words there. So, is there anything that your party, Democrats, can do to stop the progression of this bill.Well, Ariel, it's good to be with you. Uh, we are making all the arguments and we're urging people from a ...

Legislative Action & Political Strategy - The Senate is working on changes to the House-passed reconciliation bill with a July 4th deadline [1][2] - The Senate aims to make changes to the bill, but they are not expected to be radical [4] - Senate leadership is actively listening to members' concerns and incorporating ideas to ensure the bill's passage [5][6] - Securing the border, national security, and energy are key priorities for the bill [3] Fiscal & Economic Considerations - The bill is considered important for the economy and the prosperity of many people [6] - Maintaining current tax levels is a priority [3] Benefit Programs & Healthcare - Focus on ensuring benefits reach those who deserve and need them, specifically regarding SNAP and Medicaid [8][13] - Addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within benefit programs is crucial [9] - States are on tight budgets, and the federal government will consider this when implementing changes to programs like SNAP [10] - Medicaid is the fastest-growing part of the healthcare system and needs to be controlled [15] - Implementing work requirements and more frequent eligibility attestations for Medicaid beneficiaries are being considered [14] - The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act is being reviewed to preserve benefits for those who qualify [13]

Core Insights - A significant majority of Americans (72%) rate the US healthcare system with a grade of C or lower, indicating widespread dissatisfaction with the current system [2] - Nearly half (46%) of respondents have faced the dilemma of choosing between paying medical bills and basic necessities over the past decade, highlighting financial strain related to healthcare [2] - A majority of Americans express willingness to reconsider key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to make healthcare coverage more affordable [2] - There is strong support (66%) among Americans for banning direct advertisements from pharmaceutical companies, reflecting a consensus across political lines [2] - The survey indicates that 83% of respondents believe they should have the option to select health plans that exclude benefits they do not intend to use, if it results in cost savings [6] - Additionally, 56% of respondents feel that individuals with unhealthy lifestyles should incur higher health insurance costs [6] Research Methodology - The findings are based on a survey conducted in February 2025, involving over 1,000 respondents from the general US population [3]