Michele Tafoya on Health Care: Medicaid Cuts, Withheld Minnesota Funds, and the Affordable Care Act
Michele Tafoya, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, praised the One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts Medicaid by $1 trillion and is expected to cost about 140,000 Minnesotans their health coverage, according to Minnesota health officials.
Tafoya also thanked President Trump and Vice President Vance in February 2026 as the administration moved to withhold Medicaid funds from Minnesota, and supported withholding about $260 million.
When the Minnesota Star Tribune asked about health care in October 2026, her campaign did not respond.
Michele Tafoya's Statements on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act
- Tafoya Praised the Law That Cut Medicaid by $1 Trillion. Michele Tafoya said on May 6, 2026, "I'm thrilled the Big Beautiful Bill reaped some results for a lot of Minnesotans" (KSTP). KSTP reported she was praising the law's tax relief on tips and overtime and its expanded child tax credit. That law contains the largest cut to Medicaid in history, and nearly 12 million Americans are expected to become uninsured over the next decade.
- Tafoya Thanked Trump for Cutting Off Medicaid Funds to Minnesota in February 2026. On February 25, 2026, Tafoya posted, "Thank you @POTUS Trump and @VP Vance for taking action to stop this abuse and hold those responsible accountable," sharing a clip of Vance saying "that's the sort of thing we're cutting off" (post). In March 2026 she voiced support for withholding roughly $260 million in Minnesota Medicaid funding, with federal officials warning of more than $1 billion in deferred payments.
- Tafoya Ignored Star Tribune Questions on Health Care in October 2026. The Minnesota Star Tribune reported on October 21, 2026 that Tafoya's campaign routinely ignored requests for comment, including for its health care story, and that she did not specify whether she would support reversing the law's Medicaid reductions.
What the Medicaid Cuts Michele Tafoya Backed Mean for Minnesota
- About 140,000 Minnesotans are likely to lose health coverage. Medical Assistance covers about 1.2 million Minnesota residents, and state health officials estimate 140,000 of them are likely to lose coverage under the law.
- Minnesotans who lose coverage delay care until it becomes an emergency. "When patients lose coverage, they don't stop getting sick. They put off appointments, they stretch prescriptions, they skip preventive care," Minnesota physician James Coniff said at an October 14, 2026 news conference that also raised concerns for rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid payments.
- A $243 million Medicaid hold stayed in place after Minnesota fixed its plan. MPR News reported in April 2026 that the federal hold on $243 million of Minnesota Medicaid funding had not been released even though the federal government approved the state's corrective action plan.
- Minnesota adults must prove 80 hours of work a month starting in 2027. From January 1, 2027, Minnesotans 21 to 64 who apply for Medicaid must document 80 hours a month of work, school or volunteering, and state lawmakers warned unclear federal guidance risks Minnesota's matching funds.
Frequently Asked Questions Michele Tafoya on Health Care
What is Michele Tafoya's record on health care under Trump?
Michele Tafoya praised the One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts Medicaid by $1 trillion and is expected to cost about 140,000 Minnesotans their coverage. She thanked the administration for moving to withhold Medicaid funds from Minnesota. Her campaign did not answer the Star Tribune's health care questions in October 2026.
What did Michele Tafoya say about Trump withholding Medicaid money from Minnesota?
Michele Tafoya posted "Thank you @POTUS Trump and @VP Vance for taking action" on February 25, 2026 (post) and supported withholding about $260 million. MPR News reported that a $243 million hold stayed in place in April 2026 even after the state's corrective plan was approved.
Would Michele Tafoya protect Medicaid in Minnesota?
Michele Tafoya did not say whether she would reverse the law's Medicaid reductions when the Minnesota Star Tribune asked in October 2026. She has praised the law that makes those reductions (KSTP).
Last updated: 2026-10-28