Budget bill puts doctors, and their lobbyists, in middle of tug

WASHINGTON — With millions of people at risk of losing health insurance under President Trump’s tax bill, lawmakers have begun lobbying the lobbyists: asking health care interests to keep quiet — or speak up — about potential cuts to Medicaid.

Democrats and Republicans on key Congressional committees and in leadership perches have been holding regular meetings in recent weeks with groups representing doctors, five people involved in or with knowledge of the talks told STAT.

Democrats are asking the groups to speak up about what the Medicaid cuts would mean for providers and patients. At times, they’ve been frustrated by the groups’ unwillingness to more vocally oppose the measures. Because Republicans can pass the cuts — part of President Trump’s tax bill — alone, Democrats are rel