The House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2026 federal budget bill, commonly referred to as "one big, beautiful bill," with a 218 to 214 vote on Thursday afternoon.

Of the $16.4 billion annual Medicaid costs for Louisiana, state taxpayers kick in about $3 billion, according to the Legislature. The new law would halt some of the tools Louisiana uses to pay that $3 billion, requiring the state to pour in extra money or let some people go without health insurance.