A resolution urging the protection of Medicare from the devastating cuts caused by H.R. 1.
This is a Senate resolution (S. Res. 380) introduced by Senator Whitehouse that urges Congress to protect the Medicare program from the large, across-the-board spending cuts that would be triggered by H.R. 1 (the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act). The resolution cites CBO projections showing that H.R. 1 would dramatically increase the deficit, which would activate PAYGO sequestration rules that automatically cut spending across many programs, including Medicare. It argues that such Medicare cuts would threaten benefits for seniors and others who rely on Medicare and could harm the financial stability of health care providers. The resolution expresses the Senate’s policy position and calls for concrete protections for Medicare, rather than allowing these automatic cuts. Note: As a non-binding resolution, this document does not enact policy into law but communicates the Senate’s stance and urging that Medicare protections be prioritized in budget decisions.
Key Points
- 1The Congressional Budget Office estimates H.R. 1 would add about $4.1 trillion to the deficit from 2025 to 2034.
- 2Such a deficit increase would trigger sequestration under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act (S-PAYGO), causing automatic, across-the-board cuts to social safety net programs, including Medicare (Medicare is not exempt under current PAYGO rules).
- 3CBO projects Medicare sequestration cuts of about $45 billion in 2026, with total Medicare cuts reaching roughly $536 billion through 2034.
- 4These sequestration cuts would contribute to nearly $1 trillion in health care reductions tied to H.R. 1 and could strip coverage from around 15 million people.
- 5The resolution calls on the Senate to protect Medicare, safeguard seniors’ benefits and essential social services affected by the cuts, and shield seniors who have paid into Medicare from reckless reductions.