Why Cutting Medicaid and Slashing Health Benefits Is Dangerous for America

We like to think of America as the land of opportunity—a place where hard work pays off and everyone has a fair shot at a good life. But if recent legislation is any indication, millions of our neighbors will soon lose access to one of the most basic needs: healthcare.

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) promises to trim the federal budget, but it comes with a heavy price. Experts project that between 10 and 17 million Americans could lose health insurance over the next decade because of deep cuts to Medicaid and changes to health subsidies (Kaiser Family Foundation, The Daily Beast).

Why does this matter? Because Medicaid isn’t just a safety net for the poor—it’s a lifeline for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and hardworking families who can’t otherwise afford care.

Jesus himself said it plainly in Matthew 25:35–40:

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’”

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

(Matthew 25:35–40, NLT)

Cutting Medicaid is like turning away the hungry, the sick, and the naked. And that’s not just bad policy—it’s a moral failure.

One of the most harmful parts of this bill is the introduction of work requirements for Medicaid. Under this rule, most adults on Medicaid must prove they’re working, volunteering, going to school, or training for at least 20 hours a week just to keep their coverage. Miss a deadline or fall short of hours, and your health insurance disappears—even if you still qualify otherwise (Congressional Budget Office).

But here’s the kicker: many people who need Medicaid the most can’t meet these requirements. Low-income parents might work irregular hours or struggle with childcare. Disabled people, especially those with chronic or invisible illnesses, may not qualify for exemptions or have trouble proving their disability. And the complicated paperwork means those without easy internet access or support risk losing coverage by accident.

Beyond work requirements, the bill slashes Medicaid funding through block grants and spending caps, forcing states to cut benefits or freeze enrollment. Meanwhile, subsidies that help working families afford insurance on the ACA marketplace are also getting cut. This triple whammy could push millions into the uninsured ranks.

Why is this dangerous for all of us? When millions lose coverage, they often delay care until emergencies. This drives up costs for hospitals and taxpayers alike and worsens health outcomes across the country. Rural communities and safety-net hospitals, already struggling, will feel the squeeze hardest.

This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about people’s lives. It’s about a mother skipping her cancer screenings, a disabled veteran going without physical therapy, a child missing crucial vaccinations. It’s about the heart of what America should be.

As Christians, we’re called to care for the vulnerable. As citizens, we should demand better. Cutting Medicaid and health benefits is a short-sighted move that endangers the wellbeing of millions and weakens the entire nation.

Sources

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Matthew 25:35–40.

Congressional Budget Office. “Budget and Economic Outlook.” 2024, www.cbo.gov.

Kaiser Family Foundation. “About 17 Million More People Could Be Uninsured Due to the Big Beautiful Bill and Other Policy Changes.” 2025, www.kff.org.

The Daily Beast. “Larry Summers Blasts Donald Trump’s ‘Shameful’ Big Beautiful Bill.” 2025, www.thedailybeast.com.

Center for American Progress. “$1 Trillion in Medicaid Cuts, $1 Trillion in Tax Giveaways for the Richest 1 Percent.” 2025, www.americanprogress.org.