Ohio Sen. Jon Husted on fighting to weaken Medicaid: ‘I love doing that kind of stuff’

During a recent radio interview, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) spoke fondly about his vote for President Donald Trump’s budget reconciliation bill, which slashed Medicaid benefits for millions of Americans.

While speaking to WTVN 610 news host Mark Blazor last month, Husted reiterated his support for Medicaid cuts in the bill, calling them “purposeful.”

“[We put] work requirements under the Medicaid program for able-bodied, healthy adults to try to restore the sanctity of that program and the work ethic for America,” Husted said on the Columbus, Ohio radio show. “These things are purposeful, Chuck [sic]. So I love fighting for those things. I love doing that kind of stuff.”

AUDIO: Last month, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) told conservative radio that when it comes to fighting to weaken Medicaid, “I love doing that kind of stuff.” pic.twitter.com/4295KgDP87

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) November 7, 2025

In practice, Trump’s reconciliation package, also known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” represents the largest Medicaid cut in U.S. history. According to estimates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, roughly 15 million Americans will lose health insurance coverage over the next decade because of the provisions in the bill, which includes more than $900 billion in reduced spending for Medicaid. Republicans like Husted have branded these cuts as reducing who qualifies for Medicaid.

These cuts will also have a negative impact on hundreds of rural hospitals, many of which rely on Medicaid funding to operate. Eleven of these hospitals are located in Ohio.

The spending reductions will pay for permanent tax cuts that will mostly benefit the wealthiest Americans and corporations in the country, while many of the poorest Americans will see tax increases and loss of health insurance coverage.

Husted’s office did not respond to a request to comment and elaborate on his voting record.

Ohio Democratic Party spokesperson Tony Wen gave a statement criticizing Husted’s comments.

“Jon Husted is bragging about health care cuts that will strip coverage from nearly half a million Ohioans and put eleven rural hospitals on the brink of closure,” Wen said. “It’s completely heartless, and Ohioans won’t forget next November.”

Ohio Senate race

In January, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) appointed Husted to the U.S. Senate to replace JD Vance, who was sworn in as the vice president of the United States three days prior. Husted served as DeWine’s lieutenant governor from 2019—25, and served time as Ohio’s secretary of state, House speaker and as a state senator.

Last year, reports emerged that Husted received a $1 million campaign donation from FirstEnergy Corporation in 2017, the same energy company at the center of a major political bribery scandal in Ohio. Husted denied receiving the money.

Husted has indicated that he will seek reelection in 2026 in a special election that will determine who serves the remaining two years of Vance’s Senate term. Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) announced his bid for the seat in August, instantly becoming the frontrunner in the Democratic primary.

Brown served three terms in the Senate before losing to Republican Bernie Moreno in 2024 in the most expensive Senate race in U.S. history.