Budget Proposal – America First: A budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again
Proposal released March 16, 2017
Policy Summary
President Donald Trump released an outline of his budget proposal, America First, on Thursday, March 16 that substantially boosts spending on homeland security and defense while slashing spending in almost every other area. An important exception to this harsh slashing is entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Although Health and Human Services spending decreases 16%, this cut comes from slashing health care programs outside of entitlement. America First instead proposes investing in Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) in Medicaid, which has proven to payoff a five to one ROI. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Entitlement Programs got very little attention in the proposed budget. A more comprehensive budget is expected for May of this year, which may include changes to entitlement programs. The Trump Administration could be waiting for the American Health Care Act to gain momentum before proposing any major budgetary changes in Medicaid, although so far the bill has proven to be unpopular even among Republicans. The budget proposal was not expected to include any major changes to entitlement programs as much of these issues are instead addressed in the proposed American Health Care Act. Cuts in these programs are expected to come later. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AARP – AAPR opposes the Health Care Bill and continues to fight to keep social security strong. This link to the Advocacy section of the AARP website provides a platform for people to learn how social security and health care reform affect them as well as an option to join AARP.
- Save My Care – This website is dedicated to fighting for full health care coverage. It provides opportunities to sign up for updates and events as well as stories of people who have benefited from the Affordable Care Act.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact ann@usresistnews.org.
