💔 "One Big Beautiful Bill"? More Like One Big Dangerous Mistake
- Jodi Chapin
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Why Now Is the Time to Contact Your Elected Officials and Say "NO".
The “Big Beautiful Bill” Is Anything But — Why You Must Speak Up Now
As a nurse, a patient advocate, and a concerned citizen, I cannot remain silent about what is happening. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” is a sweeping piece of healthcare legislation that’s been passed by both the House and Senate and now sits on the President’s desk, awaiting signature. Proponents claim it will "streamline healthcare and reduce costs" — but when you peel back the shiny label, what’s underneath is dangerous, disheartening, and potentially devastating.
This bill is not beautiful. It is brutal. And we need to act fast.
What’s Really Inside the “Big Beautiful Bill”?
Let’s break it down by the numbers and real-world impact:
Medicaid Cuts That Hurt the Most Vulnerable
$864 billion in federal Medicaid cuts, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Work requirements that could cause millions to lose coverage — not because they don’t work, but because they can't navigate the red tape. (NPR)
New immigration-related eligibility changes threaten access for non-citizens and those with humanitarian parole, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Rural areas could lose up to $155 billion over 10 years (KFF), decimating already-struggling local hospitals and clinics.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) — Stripped and Dismantled
Enhanced subsidies for ACA marketplace plans expire in 2026, meaning average premiums could spike by 75% or more, Axios reports.
New changes to cost-sharing could mean higher out-of-pocket expenses for those already stretched thin.
Medicare – Safe on Paper, Risky in Practice
While there are no direct Medicare benefit cuts (per The White House), the ripple effect of Medicaid and ACA changes will hit seniors hard.
The bill allows contributions to Roth HSAs for chronically ill Medicare Advantage enrollees — a perk for the few, while the many face rising costs elsewhere.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Telehealth, and More
Loosening of HSA rules may benefit higher-income earners, but it does little for those who can’t afford to fund these accounts in the first place.
Telehealth and physician-owned hospital rules may change access, but without adequate insurance, access is irrelevant.
What’s the Bottom Line?
The Congressional Budget Office estimates this bill will leave over 10 million more Americans uninsured.
That’s not streamlining — that’s sidelining.
That’s not healthcare — that’s harm.
This bill hits hardest where it always does: the elderly, the disabled, the chronically ill, the working poor, and people who live paycheck to paycheck and rely on programs like Medicaid or subsidized ACA plans to keep their families healthy and alive.
I’m a Nurse — I Hear the Stories Behind the Statistics
As a labor and delivery nurse working inside a hospital, I may not always witness the long-term fallout of inadequate healthcare coverage firsthand. But through my work in the community with Green Network Providers, I do hear the stories — every single week. I speak with underserved individuals, families struggling to afford medications, elders navigating impossible healthcare choices, and patients who delay care because they’ve lost coverage or simply can’t afford to see a provider.
These are real people. And this bill puts them further at risk.
What Can You Do? Contact Your Elected Officials — Now.
Even though the bill is awaiting the President’s signature, public pressure can still influence what happens next — whether it's vetoed, challenged, or amended in the future. And if nothing else, your voice helps build the wave of resistance that could stop further damage.
📞 Call. Write. Email. Show up.
Find your senator HERE
Tell them:
You oppose cuts to Medicaid and ACA protections.
You demand policies that expand healthcare access, not strip it away.
You’re watching, and you vote!!
Don’t Think It Won’t Affect You
Even if you’re lucky enough to have decent health insurance today, think about tomorrow. A job loss, a diagnosis, an accident, a divorce — these things happen. We are all one step away from needing the very safety nets this bill seeks to unravel.
We Deserve Better
Healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s not beautiful to rip care away from those who need it most. The only thing big about this bill is the damage it could do.
Raise your voice!
Call your officials!
Share this blog post!
Because silence is NOT an option when lives are at stake.
If you’d like help finding your representatives or sample scripts to call or email, I’m happy to share them. We do better when we do it together.
In health and solidarity,
Jodi Chapin, RN
Labor & Delivery Nurse | Clinical Research Nurse | Patient Advocate
Vice President, Green Network Providers
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