The Trump administration finds a new way to cut Medicaid spending Alex Wong/Getty Images The Trump administration is trying to cut Medicaid funding — again. A new plan would allow states to seek Medicaid block grants, which amount to spending caps on the enormously popular health care program. [Vox / Dylan Scott] Block grants — as opposed to the current open-ended matching federal funding for Medicaid that states receive — are a longtime conservative policy goal; however, it’s unclear whether the Trump administration can cap Medicaid spending without Congress. [Politico / Rachel Roubein and Dan Diamond] Advocates for the program say it would improve states’ flexibility and accountability in administering Medicaid; Democrats warn that block grants would instead imperil access to health care for the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population. [NYT / Abby Goodnough] The reach of the block grant changes would be limited; according to federal officials, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and the elderly would not be affected. [WSJ / Stephanie Armour] This most recent rule change is just the latest instance of the Trump administration attempting to cut Medicaid. Previously, the administration has provided waivers so states can implement work requirements as a condition for Medicaid access. [NBC / Phil McCausland] The new changes are almost certain to be challenged in court; previous attempts to limit Medicaid through work requirements have been similarly challenged, and in many cases rejected by federal courts. [Washington Post / Amy Goldstein] Medicaid isn’t the only federal program in Trump’s sights; the administration’s proposed 2020 would cut both Medicare and Social Security, and the president indicated last week at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he would “take a look” at entitlement cuts. [CNN / Maegan Vazquez]