The Sunday Night #MedicaidMassacre
Late on Sunday night, in an unusual and controversial move, the House Budget Committee narrowly advanced President Trump's massive "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," setting the stage for sweeping policy changes affecting millions of Americans.
What’s in the Bill?
The budget bill is a sprawling 1,100-page proposal, combining extensive tax cuts and substantial reductions in essential public programs:
Tax Reforms: Making the 2017 Trump-era tax cuts permanent, policies that critics say disproportionately benefit wealthy Americans and corporations.
Spending Cuts: Proposing $1.5 trillion in cuts over ten years, primarily targeting Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts would impose strict job loss penalties (problematically referred to as "work requirements") on Medicaid recipients beginning in 2029 and shift significant SNAP program costs onto states.
Shady Sunday Night Maneuvering
The bill passed the Budget Committee by a razor-thin margin (17–16) after four conservative Republicans changed their votes from opposition (because they felt the cuts were not deep enough) to "present" following intense negotiations. Key last-minute adjustments included:
Negotiations on possibly accelerating Medicaid job loss penalties (still officially set for 2029).
Potential rollbacks of clean energy tax credits, a demand from conservative hardliners.
Ongoing debates on raising the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap to appease lawmakers from high-tax states.
Disability Advocates & Allies Fight Back
These dramatic developments have sparked widespread protest. Last week's committee hearings saw passionate demonstrations, with chants like "No cuts to Medicaid!" echoing through Capitol halls from ADAPT, NCIL, and AAPD. Capitol Police arrested 26 protesters, including disability advocates visibly impacted by proposed Medicaid cuts.
Further outrage erupted during Senate hearings featuring HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose contentious health policies—such as massive cuts to NIH and CDC funding—triggered additional protests, resulting in more arrests, notably including Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen.
What's at Stake for Medicaid and Healthcare?
The future looks precarious (check out our infographic for details):
13.4 million Americans risk losing their Medicaid coverage.
New administrative hurdles could strip eligible individuals of healthcare.
States face unprecedented financial burdens, risking coverage stability, especially in Medicaid-expansion states.
The Road Ahead
The bill now moves forward, with House Speaker Mike Johnson signaling openness to further negotiations. As it proceeds to the House floor, intense debate and additional amendments are anticipated. This fight is far from over. At stake is the health and stability of millions, particularly those relying on Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical safety net programs.
Stay engaged, stay informed, and join us in advocating for healthcare justice.
#ProtectMedicaid #MedicaidMassacre