Earlier this week, Capitol Hill was alive with passionate voices as lawmakers debated a controversial budget proposal.
This bill, dubbed the ‘big, beautiful bill’ by its supporters, aims to slash federal health spending by nearly $880 billion over the next decade.
But for millions of low-income and disabled Americans, these cuts could mean losing vital health insurance coverage by 2034.
One protester who stood out was Olga from Youngstown, Ohio.
She came all the way to Washington, D.C., to make sure her voice was heard during the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the proposed budget. From her wheelchair, Olga made a powerful plea.
“You will kill me if you cut Medicaid!” she shouted, explaining that she is HIV positive and relies on medications that cost around $10,000 a month.
Her words sent a shudder through the room before Capitol Police gently wheeled her away.
What’s at Stake for Medicaid Beneficiaries Like Olga
The proposed budget is part of a larger plan to cover $5 trillion in tax cuts requested by President Donald Trump.
To make the numbers work, Republicans are looking to drastically reduce federal spending, with Medicaid taking a major hit.
For people like Olga, who depend on Medicaid for expensive life-saving medications, losing coverage could be catastrophic.
HIV drugs such as Trogarzo and Lenacapavir cost upwards of $9,000 to $12,000 a month without insurance, making them completely out of reach for many.
And it’s not just HIV patients who would be affected.
Millions with conditions like high blood pressure, bipolar disorder, or rheumatoid arthritis could suddenly face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs instead of having their treatments fully covered.
New Work Requirements Add Another Layer of Challenge
The Republican proposal doesn’t just cut funding—it also adds new hurdles for Medicaid recipients.
Able-bodied adults would have to prove they work at least 80 hours a month or participate in education or job training programs to qualify for coverage.
This rule would exempt pregnant women, postpartum patients, and disabled individuals, but for everyone else, it could mean losing access to healthcare if they fail to meet these requirements.
Critics argue these work mandates create red tape that makes it harder—not easier—for people to get care.
Paperwork can be confusing, deadlines easy to miss, and the burden falls heavily on both beneficiaries and state agencies.
Lessons from Georgia Show the Real Impact of Work Mandates
Georgia’s attempt to impose Medicaid work requirements offers a cautionary tale.
Instead of saving money or improving health, the state’s administrative costs soared to $13,360 per enrollee annually—far beyond early estimates.
Most of this was swallowed by bureaucratic processes like verifying work status and managing enrollment churn.
Worse, thousands lost coverage and health outcomes didn’t improve.
Despite hopes that nearly a quarter million people would gain coverage, only about 6,500 enrolled in the first 18 months due to complicated paperwork and strict rules.
Today, those policies remain in place, continuing to block eligible people from care.
Protesters Take a Stand as Debate Intensifies
As tensions mounted in another House committee—the Energy and Commerce Committee—dozens of protesters, including disability rights advocates, were forcibly removed after disrupting the hearing with chants like “Protect Medicaid.”
The uproar highlighted the deep concern over allegations that the program is abused, which many argue are exaggerated and used to justify cuts.
A Rare Moment of Republican Dissent on Capitol Hill
Not all Republicans have fallen in line. In a surprising twist, five GOP members joined Democrats in opposing the bill, largely because of the Medicaid cuts.
Conservative hardliners like Chip Roy from Texas and Ralph Norman from South Carolina opposed it on ideological grounds.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s Lloyd Smucker changed his vote at the last minute to keep options open for revisiting the bill later.
Thanks to this split, the bill failed to move forward from the House Budget Committee, leaving Medicaid’s fate uncertain but giving hope to those fighting to preserve this crucial safety net.