WASHINGTON—House Republicans released their plan to cut Medicaid spending, with the program’s defenders in the GOP appearing to win the intraparty clash over how aggressively to change the system that provides health insurance to more than 70 million low-income and disabled people.

House Republicans aim to impose work requirements, toughen eligibility checks and slash provider taxes to deeply cut Medicaid spending.

Republicans on the House Energy & Commerce Committee released their long-awaited plan last night to reduce spending within the committee’s