Updated Jul 15, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Hawley introduces bill to reverse Medicaid cuts he voted for

Sareen Habeshian

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) speaks with reporters while arriving for a meeting with Senate Republicans in the U.S. Capitol on June 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Senate Republicans overnight released a new version of the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," as they approach U.S. President Donald Trump's July 4 — Sen. Josh Hawley speaks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol on June 28. Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a legislation Tuesday to halt any future cuts to Medicaid hospital funding, two weeks after voting for the slashes as part of President Trump's "big, beautiful bill."

The big picture: Hawley has emerged as a key player pushing back on a major Medicaid overhaul, which would include nearly $1 trillion in rollbacks over the next 10 years.

Driving the news: The "Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act" introduced Tuesday, if passed, would repeal a provider tax moratorium and the future reduction of provider tax authority in the reconciliation bill.

"This would restore a key aspect of Medicaid funding that states rely on to finance their programs," Hawley's office said in a press release.
It also aims to repeal provisions in the reconciliation bill related to state directed payments that could reduce Medicaid reimbursements.

What he's saying: "President Trump has always said we have to protect Medicaid for working people," Hawley said in a statement. "Now is the time to prevent any future cuts to Medicaid from going into effect."

"I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently," he added.

By the numbers: More than 1.2 million children and adults are enrolled in Missouri Medicaid, also known as MO HealthNet, according to KFF. That's about 20% of the state's population.

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Hawley introduces bill to reverse Medicaid cuts he voted for

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