How Donald Trump’s Second Term Has Impacted Medicaid and Other Disability Programs So Far: by Jason Hahr

 

Whether you love him or hate him, Donald Trump won a second term in the White House last year. There is no changing that. For the next three and a half years, barring an accident or his death, he will be the President of the United States and play a significant role in shaping policies that affect the Voiceless Minority. Members of The Voiceless Minority, like myself, have already seen President Trump make drastic cuts to Medicaid.

For those readers who are unaware of the significance of Medicaid to people with disabilities, let me take a few minutes to educate you, the reader, on the program’s benefits. Medicaid provides assistance to people with disabilities and those who have a low income. The requirements to obtain/stay on Medicaid mean you are forced to remain at or below the poverty level.

Before my readers who are Conservative comment something like, "No one is forced to be poor if you work hard, you can achieve anything. I must say that while this sentiment is a good idea, when you are disabled and require assistance, oftentimes you are forced to be poor to qualify for government programs. For example, I receive both Medicaid and Medicare, but only because, as of now, I get what is known as Social Security Disability, which is different from SSI or Supplemental Security Income.

The only reason I receive SSDI rather than SSI like my fiancée Sam, love you babe, is that several years ago, my dad became disabled. However, once he reaches the age of 67, he will no longer receive SSDI, which I am drawing on. He will then receive his Social Security pension. You may ask, “What does that have to do with Medicaid?”

Once my dad switches over to retirement, I will revert to receiving SSI like I did before he got sick. I will also lose Medicare as an insurance and rely solely on Medicaid unless I pay out of pocket for another form of insurance. However, because I have been forced to limit my income to stay on Medicaid, I will not be able to afford any other insurance. I say all this to emphasize that the changes President Trump has implemented so far have radically altered the Medicaid system.

The President and his allies in the Republican controlled Congress have already implemented some disturbing changes. When he recently passed the big beautiful bill, it did have some funding for military and national defense; however, since one cannot pull money from nowhere, he had to fund his big beautiful bill by cutting spending somewhere. Unfortunately, programs like Medicaid and other social safety nets fell victim to Trump’s cuts.

I understand that not everyone on Medicaid should be there, given that fraud is found in most programs. However, eliminating resources that benefit the majority of good people simply because of a few bad apples is unsettling. I’m not sure if this blog resonates with you, but I want to reiterate a point from Wednesday’s article. It seems like humanity falls victim to the money game. Tax breaks seem to be more important to President Trump than helping those who genuinely need it. The last thing that I will say is that this blog may seem critical of the President and his allies. However, it is more of an indictment of humanity in general. Since when did we forget to help the most vulnerable citizens? I’m sorry, but even though I am a person with a disability, I can admit that I am more susceptible than a non-disabled person. Even if I don’t want to be, I must face the reality that having my disability prevents me from performing specific tasks that others take for granted and also makes me vulnerable.

My vulnerability is not a bad thing. I am not proud to be vulnerable, but I am proud of who I am. As I close this blog, I will remind readers of the following quote, which I have adapted to be more inclusive. “You know the true measure of a society and a person by how they treat their most vulnerable citizens”. Just food for thought, America.

Until next time, your friendly neighborhood, super advocate, Jay