Some people on Medicaid may not realize it, as it has many names in Michigan and different names in other states. Chances are you know someone on MIChild, Healthy Michigan Plan, MI Health Link, Freedom to Work, Healthy Kids/Healthy Kids Dental, TCM for Justice Involved Individuals, Michigan Medicaid. In fact, these are all Medicaid services in Michigan with different names focused on different needs.

Nationally, Medicaid covers nearly half of all births, over half of long term care for seniors, over 1/3 of healthcare for children. The proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” is beautiful for billionaires but is a big bad bill for most of us. It calls for huge cuts to Medicaid (millions will lose health care) and rural communities like ours will be especially hard hit. Why? Rural hospitals and providers have more Medicaid recipients and risk closure if this reimbursement is lost.

Drastic cuts to SNAP benefits are also part of the bill. This will drastically effect food security for many families with kids, a senior or person with a disability in the household. Most able recipients are working families. Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP will also trigger lost jobs.

Why, all of the sudden, are these draconian changes, which will hugely increase the federal deficit “needed?” For one reason only: to give massive tax breaks to the wealthy. The poorest among us will pay more. This is a reverse Robin Hood scheme: take from the poor (Medicaid, SNAP) and give to the rich.

There is also a moral cost of abandoning the most vulnerable people with disabilities (including veterans), children, and seniors. Compassion and care for those in need must remain a core part of who we are.