GOP senator unveils ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ amendment for further $300B in Medicaid savings

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and a handful of other GOP senators have introduced an amendment to President Donald J. Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” that could save another $300 billion in Medicaid spending.

The Florida Republican’s amendment seeks to limit the expansion of the federal welfare program under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, aka ObamaCare, by preventing new Medicaid enrollees who are able-bodied and don’t have any dependent children from receiving the 9-to-1 enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) in Medicaid expansion states.

Those already enrolled will get to keep the 9-to-1 share even if they were to leave the program for employment and return later. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that Scott’s amendment would save another $313 billion over ten years, according to The Hill, citing the senator’s office.

My proposal to fix FMAP will make the Big Beautiful Bill even more aligned with President Trump’s goal to balance the budget, grow the economy, and put Americans first.

We cannot allow Dem-led blue states to use YOUR tax dollars to give illegal aliens Medicaid benefits, exploit…

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) June 29, 2025

“My proposal to fix FMAP will make the Big Beautiful Bill even more aligned with President Trump’s goal to balance the budget, grow the economy, and put Americans first,” Scott said in a Sunday post to X. “We cannot allow Dem-led blue states to use YOUR tax dollars to give illegal aliens Medicaid benefits, exploit this safety net, and jeopardize help for those who truly need it.”

The amendment is co-sponsored by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), who serves as Finance Committee chair, as well as Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).

The reduced FMAP percentage for new enrollees would go into effect in 2031.

According to The Hill, the conservative senators were making a “concerted push” to get other Republican senators onboard with the amendment.

“I think it’s going to pass. If you think about it, it’s good policy. It gives the states the opportunity to get ready. Nobody gets kicked off,” Senator Scott told The Hill.

When asked if he will vote for the bill if his amendment doesn’t pass, the Sunshine State senator said, “I’ll figure it out then.”

“My goal is to support Trump. I like his agenda,” Scott added.

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters that he believes that the majority of the GOP conference will vote for Scott’s amendment, although he isn’t sure that it will ultimately pass.

“We think it’s really good policy. Yeah, I think a lot of us are going to be supporting it,” the top Senate Republican said.

“People are being called and arms are being twisted,” Sen. Johnson said. “Nobody loses coverage. … It puts all the states on notice that this gravy train … is going to end.”

“It’s real money,” he added.

“As a Floridian, it makes me mad to think blue states like California and New York are ripping off Florida families, forcing us to pay for the childless, able-bodied, working-age adults they put on Medicaid!” Sen. Scott said in a post to X earlier this month.