Key Points
- U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) is under fire for claiming credit for $1 billion in Medicaid funding for Wisconsin after voting for federal legislation that slashed Medicaid and put rural hospitals at risk.
- Van Orden’s public statements and social media posts have been widely criticized by political opponents, media outlets, and advocacy groups for being misleading and inaccurate.
- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and state legislators acted swiftly to adjust the state’s Medicaid provider tax, securing additional federal funds to offset cuts—an effort Van Orden claims to have influenced, despite evidence to the contrary.
- The Trump administration’s tax and spending bill, supported by Van Orden, is projected to cause tens of thousands of Wisconsinites to lose Medicaid coverage and threatens the viability of rural hospitals.
- Van Orden has opposed Medicaid expansion and advocated for repealing the Affordable Care Act, positions that have drawn criticism as hospital closures and health care access issues worsen in western Wisconsin.
- The Congressman introduced the Rural Healthcare Revitalization Act of 2024 and has called for state and federal resources to address recent hospital closures, while critics argue these efforts do not compensate for the damage caused by his votes.
- Van Orden’s statements have been challenged by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and multiple media outlets, with accusations of dishonesty and political opportunism.
- The controversy has become a focal point in Wisconsin’s political landscape, with implications for the 2026 congressional elections.
In a controversy that has rocked Wisconsin’s political landscape, U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden finds himself at the center of a firestorm after claiming credit for securing $1 billion in Medicaid funding for the state—a move critics say is misleading, given his voting record on health care. The dispute has sparked heated exchanges between Van Orden, state officials, and advocacy groups, raising questions about the future of health care access for tens of thousands of Wisconsinites.
What Did Derrick Van Orden Claim About Medicaid Funding in Wisconsin?
As reported by Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rep. Derrick Van Orden took a “victory lap” on social media, posting repeatedly that he “helped secure” $1 billion a year in Medicaid funding for Wisconsin. Van Orden suggested that Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed the state budget in a late-night session “because I asked him personally”.
Van Orden’s claims were echoed in more than a dozen social media posts, where he asserted his role in protecting Wisconsin’s hospitals from the fallout of federal Medicaid cuts. In one post, Van Orden accused Governor Evers of telling “a flat out lie” about Republicans in Congress selling out families to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, insisting, “We just got $1,000,000,000 annually for BadgerCare,” referring to the state’s Medicaid program.
How Did State Officials and Media Respond to Van Orden’s Statements?
According to Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Van Orden’s statements were met with immediate pushback. Governor Evers and state legislators had, in fact, acted independently to increase the state’s Medicaid provider tax rate—a move necessary to secure additional federal funding before the Donald Trump administration’s tax law froze provider tax rates at their existing levels.
As reported by HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney, Van Orden’s efforts to take credit for the $1 billion were described as “bizarre,” with the article emphasizing that the Congressman had voted for the very bill that made the emergency state action necessary. Delaney noted that in Wisconsin alone, the Trump-backed law is estimated to kick more than 258,000 people off their health insurance and put at least three rural hospitals at risk of closing.
What Are the Details of the Federal Legislation Supported by Van Orden?
As covered by Wisconsin Public Radio and summarized by the DCCC, Van Orden voted for the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending bill. Both the US House and Senate versions of this bill include steep cuts to Medicaid, which could result in tens of thousands of Wisconsinites losing health coverage and further threaten the survival of rural hospitals.
The American Hospital Association estimates that more than 30,000 people in rural Wisconsin could lose Medicaid coverage by 2034, with significant funding losses for the state’s rural hospitals.
How Did Advocacy Groups and Political Opponents React?
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and its spokesperson, Katie Smith, have been especially vocal in their criticism. As reported by the DCCC and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Smith stated:
“Derrick Van Orden is lying because he cannot defend his vote to cut Medicaid, rip away funding for Wisconsin’s hospitals, kick Wisconsinites off their health care, and raise their costs. Wisconsinites see through the bullshit and will reject Van Orden next November”.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) also challenged Van Orden’s narrative, highlighting that the Congressman’s claims of securing funds were “nonsense” and that the real credit belonged to Governor Evers and the state legislature for acting quickly to protect Wisconsin’s hospitals.
What Has Van Orden Said in His Defense?
In his own press releases and public statements, Rep. Van Orden has maintained that he is working to address the health care crisis in rural Wisconsin. Following the closure of several hospitals and clinics in western Wisconsin, Van Orden sent a letter to Governor Evers urging him to utilize all available state and federal resources to provide medical care alternatives.
Van Orden stated in his letter, as published on his official House website:
“Rural communities, like those in the Third Congressional District, are continuously left on the sidelines when it comes to accessible healthcare, and these hospital closures will only make it more difficult for Wisconsinites to get the medical care they need… I will do everything in my capacity as the Congressional Representative of my constituents to ensure rural Wisconsin is not forgotten and people have access to care. I hope you will join me and work in close coordination in doing so”.
He also introduced the Rural Healthcare Revitalization Act of 2024, which would allow states to request waivers to establish new medical facilities in regions affected by hospital closures. Van Orden emphasized his commitment to ensuring rural residents have access to quality medical care.
What Are the Criticisms of Van Orden’s Broader Health Care Record?
As reported by the Wisconsin Democratic Party and detailed in a DCCC research book, Van Orden has a long record of opposing Medicaid expansion and advocating for the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Critics argue that these positions threaten affordable health insurance coverage for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites, particularly as hospital closures and health care access issues mount in rural areas.
Van Orden’s opposition to Medicaid expansion is especially controversial, as data shows that Medicaid expansion states are less likely to experience rural hospital closures. Despite this, Van Orden has said, “throwing more money on a sinking ship is not the right answer,” regarding Medicaid expansion.
How Have Local Residents and Medicaid Recipients Reacted?
Local media, including WQOW and HuffPost, have reported on the concerns of Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin’s Third District. Residents have raised fears about the potential loss of coverage for vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for essential care. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill Van Orden supported could eliminate coverage for about 13.7 million people nationwide.
What Is the Broader Political Impact of the Controversy?
The controversy surrounding Van Orden’s statements and voting record has become a major issue in Wisconsin politics. With the 2026 congressional elections approaching, political analysts and advocacy groups are watching closely to see how the issue will influence voter sentiment in the state’s competitive Third District.
What Has the National Media Reported About Van Orden’s Conduct?
National outlets such as Rolling Stone and HuffPost have covered Van Orden’s celebration of the Medicaid cuts, with Rolling Stone highlighting a now-deleted post in which Van Orden shared that “17 million people just lost health care. 18 million kids just lost food assistance”. HuffPost’s Arthur Delaney described Van Orden’s claims as “weirdly” false, noting the disconnect between his public statements and legislative actions.
What Is the Status of Health Care Access in Wisconsin’s Third District?
The closure of hospitals and clinics in western Wisconsin has intensified the debate over health care access. As reported by Van Orden’s office and covered by WisPolitics, the Congressman has hosted roundtables and introduced legislation aimed at addressing the crisis. However, critics argue that these efforts are insufficient to offset the harm caused by Medicaid cuts and opposition to ACA protections.
What Are the Next Steps for Wisconsin Health Care Policy?
With the state’s Medicaid funding now secured for the short term, attention has shifted to the long-term sustainability of rural health care in Wisconsin. Governor Evers and state legislators continue to seek solutions to ensure access for vulnerable populations, while the debate over federal health care policy remains a central issue in the state’s political discourse.