In an actual sentence printed by Politico just a few minutes ago, Medicare beat reporter Rob King writes “Republicans argue it will help shift the spotlight off complaints about health care affordability during Trump’s first year in office, as well as counter Democratic attacks over the more than $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts in last year’s One Big Beautiful Big Act, which polls show are also unpopular.”

King did not specify who these “Republicans” are arguing with though it seems they’re trying to sell him on the idea that voters will be sufficiently distracted by all this performative bullshit to not take their frustrations over said Medicaid cuts out on the GOP on the ballot in November because further cuts to services for poor people in Minnesota will something something make voters in West Virginia somehow less upset over cuts to their services enacted last year. That’s the message, right?

Selling the opposite was healthcare-centric GOP strategist Joel White, who said “Cracking down on fraud can help Republicans reinforce a message of accountability and stewardship, but it’s not a substitute for addressing what voters care most about – crushing health costs. Unless it’s paired with a clear plan to lower costs, anti-fraud efforts are unlikely to outweigh those concerns in 2026.”

“Republicans should highlight that they are protecting taxpayer dollars and trying to lower costs, and that means getting health reforms enacted this year to drive premiums down by 2027,” White continued, sounding EXACTLY like the kind of guy Fox News does NOT ever call to book.