‘Show Me the Money’: In Battle Over Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful’ Budget Bill, Demand From ‘Jerry Maguire’ Resonates | The New York Sun

The 'Show Me the Money' Budget Battle

This article uses the iconic line from the movie 'Jerry Maguire', 'Show me the money', to illustrate the current political fight over budget cuts in the United States. The author argues that various interest groups and politicians are resistant to reducing spending, even if it means pushing the country towards bankruptcy.

Medicaid Reform as a Central Issue

The central battleground is Medicaid reform. A significant increase in Medicaid spending between 2021 and 2024 is highlighted, with projections showing a substantial rise in federal spending. The author emphasizes the strong opposition from medical groups and insurance companies to any cuts.

Examples of Misuse of Funds

• New York State's home care program: The program's growth from 20,000 participants in 2014 to over 620,000 today is cited as an example of excessive spending and potential abuse, with Governor Hochul initially criticizing it and unions pushing for its continuation.
• California's Medi-Cal System: The dramatic increase in Medi-Cal enrollment, coupled with loosened asset limits for eligibility, highlights how lax regulations have led to increased costs and potentially undeserved recipients.

The author concludes that while Medicaid can be improved to help those genuinely in need, the powerful lobbying efforts from groups benefiting from the current system make reform very challenging.