7/14/25 - Taking stock

Good afternoon!

It's been a refreshing week off. But it's nice to be back.

The "Big Beautiful Bill" passed its final vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, July 3, and was signed by President Trump on July 4. It's going to lower taxes for higher income Americans, shove, corner, and trick millions of lower and middle income Americans off Medicaid, spend billions more on the military and border security, slash funding for renewable energy and scores of other arguably worthwhile things, and probably increase the national debt by trillions of dollars. Beautiful! (#Sarcasm).

Here are three articles reflecting on how all of this will affect disabled Americans, It's one more look back at what will probably end up being the biggest thing that happens to the American disability community this year. After that, maybe we can explore how we are all feeling about "Disability Pride Month" right now.

Note: There is a new Action Alert below, on new threats to several other key disability-related programs in the US.

AAPD Responds to Budget Reconciliation Bill Passage: "This Is A Devastating Day For Disabled Americans"

Jess Davidson, American Association of People with Disabilities - July 3, 2025

"'To every disabled American who feels terrified and defeated right now: You are not alone,' said AAPD President and CEO Maria Town. 'I am crushed for every single disabled person who will no longer be able to work because they will lose coverage for the personal care attendant who ensures they can get ready for the office. I am terrified for every disabled American who will be weeded out by strict, difficult-to-keep-up-with administrative requirements. I am heartbroken for every disabled family who loses SNAP and will now have to choose between paying for medications and putting food on the table. No one should ever have to make these decisions.'"

“An Absolute Moral Failure”: Disability Advocates React to GOP Medicaid Cuts

Julia Métraux, Mother Jones - July 3, 2025

"'While there is sure to be devastation and unfortunately, lives lost, and we need to be able to mourn for that,' Jorwic said, 'what the disability community has always shown is that we can come together and imagine something that other people can’t see as possible.' ... 'We have to have hope to continue to fight,' Hung said. 'When I think about families like mine, families with kids with complex medical needs and disabilities, there isn’t a choice to give up.'"

DREDF Responds to the Passage of H.R. 1: We’re Not Done

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund - June 3, 2025

"This campaign fighting against the passage of H.R. 1 has deepened existing relationships and forged new bridges, and we’re holding onto them. New relationships, stronger coalitions, more power. To all those in and outside of the disability community who fought alongside us and led the way, thank you. To those in our community who will be impacted, you are not alone. You belong in this fight. You belong in the community."

These three pieces speak well enough for themselves. So instead of commenting on further, I have a question for readers outside the US.

Here in the United States, one thing that many disability activists predict will happen next, now that Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has passed, is that we will have to focus on shoring up the loss of Medicaid and other programs by turning our attention legislation and budgeting in each of the 50 states. So my friends here in New York State will have to double or triple our efforts to fight for disability, health care, and home care funding from our state capital Albany. Others will need to engage more intensely than before with their own state capitals, legislatures, and governors.

Is there an equivalent phenomenon in other countries that have important subdivisions, like states, provinces, constituent countries, and municipalities? When the UK Parliament passes benefit cuts, is there an equivalent strategy of separately lobbying Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland to make up for the losses? What about Queensland and Victoria in Australia, Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba in Canada, or Bavaria, Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany? Please comment below, and share links to articles on this if you have them. I am very curious about this!

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