Tag: healthcare inequities

Watching the Chainsaw Come For Me

Posted on | by Guest Author | Leave a Comment on Watching the Chainsaw Come For Me

Cuts to Medicaid and Disability Independence

by Cassandra Brandt

Cuts to Medicaid and Disability Independence- Image of Cassandra - she is sitting in a hot pink wheelchair. She has shoulder length blonde hair with stripes of pink in it, a green shirt, and jeans.

I didn’t have anything to worry about with the threat of cuts to medicaid and my independence, they said. My need is legitimate. My disability is severe.  I’m a C3-4 quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down. I rely on the social safety nets in place: Social Security Disability checks pay my bills and Medicaid and Medicare pick up my hefty healthcare tabs, frequent cab rides to appointments, and caregiver services that allow me to live independently. If these services are cut, so is my autonomy; I’ll be back in an understaffed institution.

Continue reading →

How The One Big, Beautiful Bill Impacts the Disability Community

Posted on | by Guest Author | Leave a Comment on How The One Big, Beautiful Bill Impacts the Disability Community

By Tracy Waller, MPH, Esq.

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) into law, after it narrowly passed both chambers of Congress. While most presidents bring changes that can be controversial, President Trump’s signing of the OBBB led to a major economic overhaul that will have long-term effects on the disability community. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to send the bill to the House of Representatives to be voted on. On July 3, 2025, the bill narrowly passed through the House with a vote of 218-214 and was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Continue reading →

Caregiver Crisis for Disabled Individuals

Posted on | by Guest Author | Leave a Comment on Caregiver Crisis for Disabled Individuals

There is currently a huge caregiver crisis for disabled individuals in the U.S.

This firsthand account reflects a growing national conversation about the caregiver crisis for disabled individuals in the United States. A Psychology Today article (November 2023) emphasizes the increasing societal burden of adult caregiving, highlighting the emotional and financial stress placed on caregivers. In parallel, Harvard Health (May 2024) brings attention to the often-overlooked impact on caregiver well-being, noting that nearly 75% of caregivers are over the age of 50, and more than three-quarters are women—demographics particularly vulnerable to burnout and health complications. Tackling this crisis demands systemic reform: increased compensation, professional support for caregivers, and policies that invest in home and community-based services rather than defaulting to institutional care.

Continue reading →