6/30/25 - Fighting the "Big Beautiful Bill"

Good morning ...

I'm shoving this out a bit early today. Events are moving fast in the US Senate, which is getting close to passing the "Big Beautiful Bill," which among many other bad things would severely cut and undermine Medicaid, a critical program for Americans with disabilities. Friday's newsletter included videos of disabled people protesting in Washington, DC, and being arrested and zip tied. Today's links are articles with more details on all this. And please do also click the "Click here to take action on Medicaid" button in the "Take Action" section below. It will take you to an update on the bill from the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Wheelchair users zip-tied while protesting cuts to Medicaid

Washington Post - June 26, 2025

"A group of protesters demonstrated Wednesday in the Russell Senate Office Building against the GOP budget bill's proposed cuts to Medicaid."

More than 30 arrested at Senate building while protesting Medicaid cuts

Gina Cook, NBC 4 Washington - June 25, 2025

"Advocates and people who depend on Medicaid for their health care coverage — including several people in wheelchairs — traveled from as far away as Florida for the "die-in" protest inside the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building ... Many protesters wore black t-shirts that read "Healthcare Cuts Will Kill" in bold white lettering. They repeatedly chanted "No cuts to Medicaid!" as officers lined them up and escorted them out of the building ... Capitol Police said 33 of the demonstrators were arrested for protesting inside a congressional building, which is illegal. One person was arrested for crossing a police line outside where officers were processing the arrests."

‘Big beautiful bill’ will impose huge costs on disabled individuals and their families

Allison Wohl, The Hill - June 26, 2025

"As the House budget reconciliation bill makes its way through the Senate, the GOP insists that people with disabilities will not be hurt by proposed Medicaid cuts — and, in fact, that the bill does not cut Medicaid but “strengthens” it. This is patently false. Despite claims that this bill only focuses on “waste, fraud, and abuse,” the proposed cuts will devastate the nearly 7 million seniors and people with disabilities who receive these services through Medicaid waivers — as well the 700,000 people on waiting lists for these benefits."

This third piece provides an important reminder of the broader implications of the "Big Beautiful Bill" for people with disabilities – including the historical context and exactly how proposed cuts and restructuring would affect us.

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