ICYMI: Rep. Jen Kiggans sets the record straight on the “big, beautiful bill”
While Democrats are lying and fearmongering about Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill,” Republican Rep. Jen Kiggans set the record straight in a recent op-ed.
Kiggans made it clear that Republicans are protecting Medicaid for those who truly need it – kids, pregnant women, seniors, and those with disabilities – by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the program.
Read the full op-ed from Rep. Kiggans here or excerpts below:
The ‘big, beautiful bill’ protects Medicaid for those who need it
Washington Examiner
Rep. Jen Kiggans
June 5, 2025
When I came to Congress, I promised the people of Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District that I would pursue practical solutions to improve the lives of working families — without the drama, the headlines, or the politics. That commitment is reflected in the House’s recently passed “big, beautiful bill,” a practical, solutions-oriented piece of legislation that restores accountability to our safety net programs.
Unfortunately, misinformation has clouded the bill’s intent, particularly when it comes to Medicaid. Let me set the record straight: This legislation does not cut Medicaid for those who truly need it. Instead, it strengthens the program for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities while rooting out waste and holding bad actors accountable.
Here’s what the bill actually does. It protects coverage for children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It requires states to verify eligibility every six months, a step most Americans already assume is standard. It closes loopholes that allow non-citizens without legal status or with unverifiable identity to enroll in Medicaid. And it enhances oversight to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, ensuring the program serves those who truly rely on it
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This bill doesn’t “kick people off.” It ensures that those who qualify stay covered, while empowering states to clean up outdated enrollment lists and remove deceased individuals, duplicate IDs, and non-residents, issues flagged by the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General in multiple reports.
It also reintroduces commonsense accountability. This bill encourages able-bodied adults to work, volunteer, or pursue job training rather than remain dependent on government assistance indefinitely. With 4.8 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid who have the potential to work, this policy helps people build independence and self-sufficiency while ensuring resources go to those who truly need them: children, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and disabled Americans.
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This is not about punishment; it’s about fairness. Medicaid was never meant to be a permanent support system for those who can work but choose not to. As a nurse practitioner who’s helped Medicaid patients navigate the system firsthand, I know how vital the program is, and I’m committed to protecting it for those who need it most.
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Don’t believe the spin. Believe the facts. This bill preserves Medicaid as a robust safety net for the most vulnerable, ensures accountability for taxpayer dollars, and promotes the dignity of work. That’s a vision for government that’s compassionate, responsible, and sustainable.