Louisiana Faces Health Care Cuts as Democrats Rally Against Trump's Tax Law
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is leading a bold move to challenge President Donald Trump's new tax and spending law. He's heading to Louisiana for a town hall meeting, a state home to two key Republican leaders: Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
The Democrats' Stance
Democrats are unhappy with the new law, claiming it cuts health care and food aid, which they call "immoral". Jeffries has been vocal about this, even delivering a nearly nine-hour speech in the House before the final vote. Despite their efforts, the law passed.
The New Law's Impact
The new law is huge—about $4.5 trillion in tax breaks, mostly for the wealthiest Americans. It also:
- Cuts clean energy tax credits
- Puts hundreds of billions into Trump's national security plans, like border patrol and deportations
Republicans say this will boost the economy and keep the country safe.
The Catch
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that:
- 11.8 million people could lose their health insurance
- 3 million Americans might not qualify for food stamps anymore
- The law cuts federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion
Louisiana is one of the states that will feel this the most.
Louisiana's Situation
In Louisiana:
- About 1.5 million people rely on Medicaid
- The new law could leave over 200,000 of them without insurance
- In Johnson's own district, nearly 38% of residents are on Medicaid
The changes won't kick in until after the 2026 midterm elections, but providers are already preparing for the impact.
The Town Hall
Jeffries and other Democrats are using this town hall to highlight how the law will affect Louisianans. They want to show the real-world consequences of the cuts. The event is hosted by Democratic Rep. Troy Carter and will include people directly impacted by the Medicaid cuts.
Republicans' Response
The Republicans haven't responded to requests for comment. But one thing is clear: this law is going to have big effects, and Democrats are determined to make sure people know about it.