The Pittshowrunner R. Scott Gemmill and producer John Wells have revealed season 2 will tackle Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and Medicaid cuts in its story.The Pittseason 2will continue to showcase a medically realistic environment. Dr. Robby continues overseeing residents and med students who are working at the titular hospital as hour-by-hour drama and tension unfold.
Now, while speaking toVariety, Gemmill and Wells have confirmedThe Pittseason 2 is going to tackle recent events in the US medical field,particularly the Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”.The pair explain how the show’s approach comes from medical professionals they talked to about how these changes will impact hospitals in the future:
R. Scott Gemmill:We take our platform very seriously. I think one of the things when you can reach 10 million people — and this was true back in the day on ‘ER’ as well — is with that amount of people listening, you have to be responsible for what you put out there.
John Wells:The Medicaid changes are going to have a significant impact, and you don’t have to take a political position to discuss what the impact is actually going to be. I don’t want to have an argument about whether or not they’re appropriate, what Congress did or didn’t do. But they’re going to have on-the-ground, immediate consequences in emergency rooms, and nobody’s arguing with that. That’s a bipartisan agreement. You’ve got very Republican senators from Missouri like Josh Hawley agreeing that this is going to be a problem.
Wells also explained how this wasn’t the only time the US government had pulled healthcare funding, citing issues that transpired in Arkansas and Georgia because of similar decisions:
John Wells:It was frankly — again, not trying to be political, but they were disastrous in the two states [Arkansas and Georgia] that tried it, and they backed out of it and stopped doing it. So, we have a lot of people to call on to ask what’s likely to happen.
What The Pitt Approaching Real-World Healthcare Issues Says About The Show
It’s not shocking the Emmy-nominated medical drama will be tackling real-world healthcare issues in season 2.The Pitt’s medical realismwas a core component of season 1, defining it as much more grounded than any other medical drama currently airing. This includes detailed procedures and using accurate terminology throughout every hour, making the trauma hospital feel real.
This is extending to howThe Pitt’s charactersare being approached, too, with Tracy Ifeachor not returning as Dr. Collins because of her character leaving residency. Having so much detail meansit was inevitable Trump’s bill, which cuts 12% of Medicaid spending, would become a core part of the story. Its preemptive approach will expand upon the show’s realism.
Based on both Gemmill and Wells' statements, though, it appears to show will remain apolitical when it comes to the actual passing of the bill. Instead, it will look at the consequences of Medicaid cuts from an objective standpoint, especially the direct impact they have on hospitals going forward. Doctors and patients alike are bound to have their own perspectives.
Our Take On The Pitt Season 2’s Approach To Medicaid Cuts
Because of how realistic the show has been in its portrayal of the trauma center so far,The Pittis likely to provide striking honesty about how the Medicaid cuts impact real hospitals. How that commentary will appear remains to be seen, but the show’s primary focus is on ensuring what happens matches the reality since the bill passed.
Although there’s no telling how major the impact is going to be on the show’s hospital, the characters are all going to have to contend with their newfound situation regardless. This will giveThe Pitttime to explore how the issue impacts hospitals through the lens of its story, adding even more tension to season 2’s Fourth of July weekend.
The Pittseason 2 premieres Thursday, August 09, 2025 on HBO Max.
