Senate parliamentarian blocks Medicaid changes in "big, beautiful bill"

The Senate parliamentarian has ruled out a Medicaid provider tax provision in the Republican's "one big, beautiful bill", which complicates the GOP's math on spending cuts and threatens negotiations between party factions. This provision's removal solves a political problem for Republicans, but forces the Senate to find additional spending cuts to pay for tax cuts. The parliamentarian also struck down provisions blocking Medicaid funds for gender-affirming care and unauthorized immigrants' access to Medicaid or CHIP coverage. Democrats see this ruling as evidence of their success in fighting against Trump's agenda. Senator Jeff Merkley stated that Democrats are fighting against provisions that violate Senate rules and hurt families and workers. Republicans are working to adjust the language on provider taxes to meet the parliamentarian's standards. The ruling removes a thorny political problem for Republicans, but creates a new challenge in finding additional spending cuts. The GOP needs to find a solution to achieve their desired results. The parliamentarian's ruling has significant implications for the passage of the package. Overall, the ruling has created a new hurdle for Republicans in their efforts to pass the "one big, beautiful bill".