The U.S. House has passed the Trump-backed “Big Beautiful Bill,” triggering a seismic shift in American healthcare. Over the next decade, Medicaid will see $930B in cuts. Work requirements will now apply to adults ages 19–64, and ACA enrollees must reapply annually—changes projected to leave 17 million people uninsured by 2034.
Experts warn of cascading effects: ER overcrowding, rural hospital closures, and a collapse in community health centers that serve America’s most vulnerable. SNAP benefits will shrink for millions, and Planned Parenthood will be defunded for Medicaid patients.
“The biggest immoral piece of healthcare legislation I’ve ever seen,” says bioethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan. While a $50B cushion and modest Medicare rate hikes offer temporary relief, critics argue it’s like adding lifeboats to a sinking ship.
👉 For GIs, the warning is clear: Prepare for increased ER overflow, sicker uninsured patients, and delays in preventive care delivery.