Trump’s Treasury Pick Leaves Glaring Gap in Answer on Cutting Medicaid
Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent won’t commit to not cutting Medicaid.
In a heated back and forth Thursday with New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján, the hedge fund manager refused to specify where exactly he stood on the future of the critical health care program, claiming instead that he would leverage future negotiations on Medicaid to “empower” states.
“Yes or no: Will you recommend cutting Medicaid?” pressed Luján.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear if you said Medicaid or Medicare,” stuttered Bessent.
“Will you recommend cutting Medicaid?” the senator reiterated.
“Medicaid? The, um—I will—it’s the business of Congress to do the budget,” Bessent responded. “And I am in favor of empowering states, and I believe that for some states that will be an increase and for some states that will be a decrease.”
“So, Mr. Bessent, will you recommend cutting Medicaid to President Trump? And I’ll remind you that you acknowledged that one of your responsibilities as secretary of the Treasury will be to be providing this advice,” Luján said.
“I will get back to you on this,” Bessent concluded.
Donald Trump's nominee for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, says he will "get back to" Senator Ben Ray Luján when asked at his Senate confirmation hearing if he would suggest cuts to Medicaid.
Vile. pic.twitter.com/EM6Nx5L0XD— Art Candee
