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In a policy position signaled locally two months ago by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, another GOP senator is standing in opposition to cuts in Medicaid benefits.

With the U.S. House aiming to slice more than $880 billion from Medicaid, other senators argue that cutting benefits would hurt Americans in need.

Now, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has released an even stronger statement.

°Őłó±đÌę that talk of cuts “infuriates” Moreno.

“It actually really infuriates me to hear people here talking about that, because it stresses people out,” he said. “This is life and death for them.”

In March, at the annual Lincoln Days gathering at Westport Plaza, Hawley told reporters, “I’m not going to vote for Medicaid benefit cuts.”

He said the GOP has to be careful to avoid sucking funds from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program — which benefit about 1.5 million Missourians, or about 25% of the state’s population.

On Monday, the an op-ed piece from Hawley entitled “Don’t Cut Medicaid.”

Both Hawley and Moreno support reforms such as implementing work requirements and improving program efficiency.