On March 29, the House passed their 2013 budget proposal with a near party line vote of 228-191. Just like the 2012 House Republican budget, it signals a huge step backwards. The House Republican budget proposal extends tax breaks for the rich while transforming Medicare to a voucher program, restructuring Medicaid into a block grant, and repealing the Affordable Care Act.

We will be developing indepth resources as the threat to America's health care programs continues. Please bookmark this page and check back.

Resources on the Republican Budget Proposal

To Republicans: Don't Balance the Budget through Medicaid Cuts lays out reasons why Congress shouldn't trade defense spending cuts for cuts to the Medicaid program. These defense cuts are part of the automatic spending cuts that will take effect January 2013 as part of the deficit reduction deal. (August 2012)

What's Wrong with Premium Support in Medicare? lays out the problems with the Republican proposal that would end Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher program. (August 2012)

The Republican Budget Proposal: Ending Medicare As We Know It—Again explains that House Republicans would harm both current and future Medicare beneficiaries by replacing the program with a voucher system and making substantial benefit cuts. The report also provides state-level data on the prescription drug savings that enrollees would lose under this proposal. (April 2012)

Republicans Again Propose Slashing Funding for Medicaid, Medicare, and Other Health Programs details how the Republican proposal would affect the states. It provides state-level data on the federal funding each state would lose, the additional burden on taxpayers, and the rise in the number of uninsured residents. (April 2012)

The House Republican Budget Harms Americans of All Ages (March 20, 2012)

Resources on Budget Battles in the States

Cutting Medicaid: Ineffective and Harmful quickly lays out the arguments for why cutting Medicaid is bad for enrollees, for middle-class families, for health care providers, and for states. (September 2012)

Alcohol Taxes and Public Health explains the health benefits of higher alcohol taxes, which can also be an important source of funding at the local, state, and federal levels. (May 2012)

Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt Illinois' Economy explains how the governor's proposed cuts would damage the state's economy and hurt Illinoisans who depend on Medicaid. (April 2012)

See 2011 budget fight resources for information about last year's efforts.