D.C. officials are cautiously optimistic after a lobbying and public pressure campaign, but they say other Medicaid changes still pose a threat.

WASHINGTON – House Republicans defended a bill that would enact sweeping tax cuts, raise the debt ceiling, and add restrictions to benefit programs during a heated marathon day of committee hearings on Capitol Hill.

Republicans and Democrats grew weary in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill as they slogged through at-times contentious debate over provisions in President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package.

Over 300 rural hospitals had already been identified as being at "immediate risk" of shutting down, regardless of potential cuts.

Internal criticism could make it harder for Trump to pass his agenda in Congress. Or the rifts could quickly heal / Or the critics could quickly cave, as they have in the past.

Republican lawmakers are calling for work requirements, stricter eligibility verification and some co-pays.

A tax maneuver has been described by officials as a legal workaround used by states to secure inflated Medicaid funds.

Since President Donald Trump took office, Utah has begun the process of asking the federal government for a waiver to implement work and reporting requirements for some Medicaid recipients.