By Maverick Langill, ‘27

Staff Writer

If you rely on Medicaid, federally funded health care or the Affordable Care Act, or just can’t afford the ridiculous bills that pile up from the use of our world-renowned health care system, you’re in for a wild ride. On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed a budget bill reducing all federally funded health care programs by 25 percent. Our health care system has been struggling for a while now, and Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has exacerbated the already rough conditions faced by health care workers and patients. In the few months since it was signed, the bill has already resulted in:

• Shortages of nurses and doctors
• Rising prescription drug costs
• Privacy and data risks from the integration of AI into recordkeeping systems

The recently ended government shutdown lasted a record 43 days partly because of health care issues, as Democrats in Congress fought to extend tax credits they argued help keep insurance affordable for millions. The shutdown ended with Republicans promising to vote on the issue, but many fear that is a token gesture since the party has enough votes to reject it.

Although our health care system is not perfect and there are disparities in care and treatment outcomes based on race, ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid have provided lifesaving care. Many people with disabilities depend on these programs to pay for medicine, treatment and even basic living expenses because they are unable to work. Others apply for benefits because of an accident or injury that keeps them out of work. But Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” — which he promises will cut taxes and wasteful spending while diverting funds to national security and immigration enforcement — decimates this support. According to the Disability Law Center, the bill makes it harder to secure and maintain disability benefits, imposes unrealistic work requirements, and cuts benefits while raising prices at the same time.

Despite Trump’s constant campaigning to the working class, it seems he could care less about what happens to most of us. Even before this budget bill, the Trump administration paved the way for many states to reduce reproductive rights for women. One of the more troubling stories from recent months is that of Adriana Smith, a Georgia nurse who was six weeks pregnant when she had a stroke in February. She was pronounced braindead. But since Georgia law prohibits abortion after six weeks excluding medical emergencies, the hospital and state argued they were legally obligated to keep Adriana “alive” until the baby was viable. This was against her family’s wishes. Our society has made a horrific, almost dystopian turn for the worse, putting moral ideas over the health and safety of women and children.

Trump also has pushed American medical research back by decades. He cut funding for kids’ cancer research, and just as scientists were figuring out the cure to AIDS, he cut that budget too. The president showed how little he understands science when he cut funding to “transgender mice.”  What our president was supposed to know was that scientists are studying Transgenic Mice, which are not used for transgender operations, as Trump suggested, but for research into gene function, human disease and new therapies. The mice are genetically modified by injecting DNA into a fertilized mouse egg, which is then implanted into a surrogate mother. Once born, these mice serve as invaluable research tools, with the altered DNA becoming part of every cell. So you see, there’s a big difference between transgenic mice and transgender people, but Trump certainly doesn’t get that. Yet he’s making decisions that impact the health of millions.

On the topic of transgender people, it’s hard to ignore the executive orders that Trump has issued that limit the rights of the LGBTQ community. In terms of health care, the president has attacked gender affirming care, which includes everything from getting your hair and nails done to undergoing testosterone injections and reconstructive surgery. He has decreed that no federal funding can be used in hospitals, government offices and schools to even discuss gender, let alone perform gender affirming care. He’s working double time to try to legislate trans people out of existence.

If you think these issues don’t impact you because you are not disabled, LGBTQ, a woman, or someone with health concerns, think again. As history shows, governments and people in power go after the rights of minorities first, and then slowly target other groups. What’s happening in health care will affect you whether you’re rich or poor, disabled or able bodied, cis or trans, man or woman. It’s time to wake up and protect yourself and your community against these injustices.