The Human Costs of Medicaid Cuts
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The Human Costs of Medicaid Cuts
Email from Allie on March 2nd:
Dear Dangerous Ones,
I’m reaching out to share my story because Medicaid cuts aren’t just numbers on a budget—they are life and death for people like me.
I have a bleeding disorder that requires regular blood transfusions and weekly iron infusions. These treatments are incredibly expensive, and while Medicare covers some costs, Medicaid is what makes my survival possible. Without it, I will die.
I live on Social Security, so affording these treatments without Medicaid is impossible. My doctor and I have already had painful conversations about what it will be like to die from blood loss. She’s worried too. At least, she says, it won’t take long.
But how do I explain this to my three beautiful granddaughters? How do I tell them that my life depends on a decision made by people who will never face this reality themselves?
I know I’m not the only one in this situation, which is why I want people to understand what’s really at stake. Medicaid isn’t just a policy issue—it’s about real people, real lives, and real consequences.
Our Response:
Dear Allie,
To hear that you’ve already had conversations with your doctor about what death might feel like is absolutely gut-wrenching. I’m so sorry you’re having to face that potential reality because Republicans are threatening cuts.
It’s still unclear exactly how deep the cuts might be in the upcoming spending bill. According to NBC News:
The budget plan [in the US House] instructs the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid, to identify at least $880 billion in mandatory spending cuts over the next 10 years. The savings are expected to be used to extend President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of this year.
While the resolution doesn’t specifically mention Medicaid, experts say it would be unfeasible for Republicans to hit that target without significant cuts to the health program, since it’s one of the largest sources of federal spending, costing more than $600 billion per year.
Allie - the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are absolutely willing to trade your life and/or the lives of countless others so that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos & Donald Trump can get their massive tax cuts.
The impact of any cuts will be tremendous. Medicaid covers 15-35% of residents in all but six US states (not to mention nearly 50% of all Puerto Ricans):
The ONLY thing that will possible dissuade them from pulling the proverbial trigger on these cuts to Medicaid is public outcry, which is why we are SO thankful that you’re sharing your story (just as Drew from St. Louis did in our People’s Hotline episode that launched Sunday):
Republicans are saying that their cuts are aimed at waste and fraud.
But they’re really aimed at Allie and Drew.
We hear you and we will do everything we can to lift these stories up.
If any readers are interested in helping get word out about the proposed Medicaid cuts, you can use DemCast’s social media toolkit to help spread word.
GOP is Dead to Me
Email from Janice on February 21st:
Dear Dangerous Ones,
Although I am a registered Democrat, currently living in Florida (originally from NY), I have never been a single party voter. Until now.
It seems to me that what all politicians have lost sight of is the fact that many of us just want our representative to be a good and decent human being. When I lived in NY, I voted consistently for Benjamin Gilman ( a Republican). When I lived in Pennsylvania I voted consistently for Arlen Spector ( a Republican). But as the crazy has seeped further and further into politics, it has become impossible to find those types of candidates across the aisle. And rather than upset the base or disappoint the "dear leader" the Republicans have turned their backs on voters like me. And since there are more of us than they would admit, they are reduced to lying, cheating and stealing to gerrymander their way into office.
The people I know who know my political affiliation, assume I will vote Democrat and thus act like trolls, telling me I'm just a stupid liberal.
What is missing is the understanding that more can be accomplished when we hear each other; more gets done when we plan together; and the ability to govern effectively is not based upon getting what we want but rather, getting what we need.
Our Response:
Dear Janice,
We hear you.
In Episode 07, which released last Thursday, we ran through the 10 Godfathers of MAGA. That conversation was resonant with your email:
Personally, I think we NAILED the #1 spot: Newt Gingrich.
NOBODY more actively and intentionally destroyed the now-extinct tradition of parties working together to draft legislation and help the American people than Gingrich. He sought to make the Republican party more ideologically pure (read: extreme). We felt the ripple effects of Newt’s politics during the tea party movement in the early 2010’s and now during MAGA’s ascendancy.
And it’s a damn shame.
“Reasonable” Republicans like Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney (people I don’t agree with on ANYTHING policy-wise, but who I can at least acknowledge were patriotic Americans) are now run out of the party. And who fills the vacuum? Trumpist whack-jobs.
It’s hard to even fathom there being a Republican Party in the future that retreats from MAGA insanity. Maybe once all the impacts of this administration start hitting everyone - regardless of party affiliation - the people will wake up and turn on the flaming pile of shit that is the GOP.
We need to wake everybody up! That’s why getting these stories and perspectives out is so important. Thanks for reaching out, Janice.
Keep Emailing!
Thank you ALL for the emails you’ve sent. We haven’t gotten to showcase them all, but we read every last one of them!
Send to shout@thedangerousones.com!
Or call The People’s Hotline at 503-212-4600 and leave a voicemail. :)
Cheers. - Nick
It is a great piece. We all deserve a to have caring nation.
This is fantastic storytelling!!