The Real Human Toll of This Law : 17 Million People, 300 Hospitals and a 75% Cost Increase

It will be no surprise to anybody who has been paying attention, that the passing of this immoral budget law (labeled the BBB by the GOP) will have traumatic affects on real humans in devastating ways, but a recent story a nurse practitioner friend shared in the grocery store with me, truly says it all and, just about gutted me:

“Shellie is a single mom of three who just started chemotherapy last week before the budget bill passed. Her cancer is treatable but is the type that is known to come back over years, yet can be treated provided she has regular check ups and scans. To make things more difficult, Shellie is suffering from panic attacks, anxiety and depression because she works two job to make ends meet, relies on Medicaid for healthcare and is now terrified she will not be able to have healthcare coverage for her kids and herself.”

That is the reality folks.

Now let’s talk numbers…

Hospital Closures and Accessibility
A significant number of rural hospitals in the US are at risk of closure due to potential Medicaid cuts. A report by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reformindicates that 190 rural hospitals in Medicaid expansion states are already at risk of closure. Further cuts could lead to more closures, potentially impacting over 300 rural hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association and the Cecil G. Sheps Center.

"Medicaid cuts would place significant financial pressure on hospitals in rural states, where many hospitals are already at risk of closure. In more than half of states, reductions in Medicaid funding for rural hospitals would exceed 20%," according to the National Rural Health Association.
By restructuring funding mechanisms and reducing subsidies, smaller hospitals will struggle to remain financially viable. This will likely lead to decreased accessibility to essential healthcare services for millions of Americans, particularly those in remote regions who already face challenges in obtaining timely medical care.

Reduction in Healthcare Availability
Approximately 17 million Americans are projected to lose their health insurance due to budget cuts related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). And because of this, many more will be priced out of the market due to skyrocketing insurance premiums :

• 3 million small business owners and self-employed workers, will see their health coverage costs skyrocket or lose coverage altogether in 2026 because the House bill does not extend the premium tax credit enhancements — even while extending huge tax cuts for billionaires — which are critical to making health coverage in the ACA marketplace more affordable.

The reduction in government-subsidized options may push a significant portion of the population out of coverage, increasing the number of uninsured or underinsured citizens. This will lead to a decrease in routine and preventive care, exacerbating existing health issues and potentially increasing the burden on emergency services.

Rising Cost of Private Insurance
The bill's provisions could lead to a significant rise in premiums for those enrolled in ACA marketplace plans, potentially exceeding 75% on average, with some states experiencing increases of more than double.

The bill is also expected to influence the private insurance market by driving up costs. With fewer participants in government-backed healthcare options, there will be an increased demand for private insurance. Insurers will likely respond to this demand by raising premiums, making insurance less affordable for many families. This price increase could force some individuals to forego necessary coverage, risking severe financial strain in the case of illness or injury. Expect our mortality rates to get worse.

Impact on Treatment Long Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities
The BBB will slash federal funding, leaving hospitals and nursing homes scrambling. A new analysis by researchers at Brown University's School of Public Health estimates this bill could force more than 600 nursing homes to close nationwide.
And to add insult to injury, over 7 million seniors in the US, including 4.2 million older adults of color, rely on Medicaid for long-term care services and to make Medicare more affordable. Medicaid also provides essential services not covered by Medicare for millions of low-income seniors. A significant portion of these seniors also rely on Medicaid to access home-based or nursing facility care.

Effects on Mental Health
Approximately 15 million nonelderly adults with mental illness in the US rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs. This represents roughly one in three (29%) of all nonelderly adults with mental illness. Furthermore, nearly 40% of the nonelderly adult Medicaid population has a mental health or substance use disorder.
Specifically, Medicaid plays a significant role in covering individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI), such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In 2020, over 2.3 million adult Medicaid enrollees were diagnosed with SMI.

The recommended response to this devastation is one you have heard before:
Tell your stories because everybody will know somebody affected and regardless of you political beliefs we can all relate to basic health needs. TELL THEIR STORIES, TO EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. And, keep protesting, boycotting and calling. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Question of the Week: Does protesting really work?
Answer: It sure does. Here’s why: If we are not loudly defiant and don’t make our voices heard, then all people will hear is the silence and capitulation. As a former antibullying expert, whenever the bully does not receive pushback, then their tortuous behavior becomes an accepted as part of life. However, when folks do push back, in numbers and solidarity, bullies begin to think twice before acting. Over time, they realize they are not popular, can’t fool the public and they either fold or run. We cannot be on the side that is silent or this current stupidity, incompetence and utter cruelty will be accepted. Don’t let that happen - KEEP PROTESTING. We are powerful.