Rep. Jeff Hurd repeatedly emphasized the need to reduce improper Medicaid payments and administrative red tape, citing estimates of $50 billion in annual improper payments (NPR Interview, 5/2/25).
Hurd voted with House Republicans to adopt a budget resolution in February 2025 that would require the Committee on Energy and Commerce to cut $880 billion in Medicaid spending (Durango Herald, 3/12/25; The Journal, 3/12/25).
Hurd stated his support for Medicaid changes is rooted in achieving efficiencies, reducing fraud, waste, and abuse, not deep service cuts, though the specifics depend on committee outcomes (Montrose Daily Press, 2/28/25).
He acknowledged that Medicaid spending has grown dramatically over the past decade and advocated for using funds more effectively to protect critical resources (Durango Herald, 4/22/25).
Hurd publicly communicated his priorities on Medicaid policy, stressing the need to protect the most vulnerable while supporting broader Republican goals (NPR Interview, 5/2/25).
Potential vulnerability: While Hurd frames his approach as focused on efficiency, voting for large-scale cuts---$880 billion---could raise concerns about impacts on Medicaid coverage and services if efficiencies alone do not materialize.
2025: Jeff Hurd Urged Reducing Improper Medicaid Payments and Administrative Red Tape In an interview with NPR, Rep. Jeff Hurd said, "The Government Accounting Office suspects that they're about $50 billion each year in improper Medicaid payments... We need to find the right reforms... to make sure that we're spending these dollars correctly and to incentivize individuals... that they have the ability to do so. There's a way to do it. We can do it better, and that's one of the things we should be working on." [Interview - Rep. Jeff Hurd with NPR, 5/2/25]
February 2025: Jeff Hurd Voted With House Republicans on Budget Resolution Targeting $880 Billion Cuts According to Durango Herald, 'Hurd joined House Republicans in voting to adopt a budget resolution in February that directs the Committee on Energy and Commerce -- which oversees Medicaid -- to cut $880 billion in spending.' [Durango Herald, 3/12/25]
2025: Jeff Hurd Linked His Support To Efficiencies, Not Deep Medicaid Cuts According to Montrose Daily Press, "'I think the focus is going to be on efficiencies in reducing fraud, waste and abuse. I'm making sure that the health-care dollars we allocate are used as prudently as possible. We're going to have to see in this process what the Energy and Commerce Committee comes up with respect to these cuts that are part of the budget resolution,' Hurd said." [Montrose Daily Press, 2/28/25]
February 2025: Jeff Hurd Voted With House Republicans To Adopt A Budget Resolution According to The Journal, "Hurd joined House Republicans in voting to adopt a budget resolution in February that directs the Committee on Energy and Commerce -- which oversees Medicaid -- to cut $880 billion in spending." [The Journal (Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Colorado), 3/12/25]
2025: Jeff Hurd Supported Efficient Use Of Medicaid Funding As Spending Increased According to Durango Herald, 'Over the past decade, though, "Medicaid spending has increased dramatically," he said. With "protecting critical resources in mind," Hurd said he's in favor of "making sure we use those dollars well ... in the most effective way."' [Durango Herald, 4/22/25]
2025: Jeff Hurd Explained Motivations for Public Letter on Medicaid Policy In an interview with NPR, Rep. Jeff Hurd said, "I think it's important to let the folks back home that I represent know that this is an issue that's important to me and that we are part of the Republican coalition... working together to advance the president's priorities... but make sure that we do so responsibly in a way that protects the most vulnerable in our districts... it was important for me and some of the others on that letter to make sure that the folks writing the legislation know what our priorities are as part of that Republican coalition." [Interview - Rep. Jeff Hurd with NPR, 5/2/25]