I live it at home, and I live it at work.
I'll start with work. For the past 4 years, I've processed applications and renewals for Medicaid (healthcare) and SNAP (nutrition). Most applicants are working families whose jobs don’t pay enough to afford healthcare and feed their families. I interview them, I see their proof, I feel their pain.
There are many myths about how these applicants and recipients live their lives. In my experience, this assistance is primarily a great support for working families. And more people than you'd think are just one tragedy away from needing help.
But the politicians who pushed through the "One Big Beautiful" mega budget bill last year seem to think otherwise. They've imposed more application requirements and stripped services from families that need help. So, for one: I'm needing to unnecessarily close applications because people can’t clear all the documentation hurdles in front of them on time. This is particularly true for people in vulnerable situations such as those with mental health problems and those who are homeless. It’s heartbreaking.
For two: my work now takes nearly twice as long due to all the added documentation rules, delaying relief for applicants. For three: starting in January (2027), benefits will need to be renewed every 6 months rather than yearly. So we'll need about 250 more caseworkers. We already have too many vacancies. There's already too much work for each of us!
From what I see, those struggling and those trying to ease their burdens (caseworkers like me) are all worse off. And for what? For the rich to be richer!! Yes. This budget bill gives $1.4 trillion in tax cuts to those making over $500,000. To pay for that (and notably not all of that), it cuts $1.1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, as well as $187 billion from SNAP—plus imposes all these hurdles to get relief, especially at a time when costs are out of control. It makes me sick. The vast majority of people I interview need genuine help.
And it’s inconceivable to me that there are politicians who are willing to end Medicaid and hurt working people so billionaires can buy themselves another island or go on a 10-minute space ride. But that's how our system works (right now): politicians rig it for billionaires/corporations so billionaires/corporations support them.
This frustration and worry … well, I also live it at home. I have a 15-year-old son with a neurological speech condition who has been on Medicaid since he was 5. Without Medicaid, and with just our health insurance, he'd be without necessary speech therapy and assistive devices.
Do people like my son, others living with chronic illnesses, working families, and older adults have to pay the price so that billionaires can become trillionaires? The answer doesn't have to be yes. Every election gives us the opportunity to examine the record of every candidate, reward those who have stood with our communities, and replace those who have failed them. Read the voting records, make an informed decision, VOTE IN leaders who fight for people, and VOTE OUT those who turn a blind eye to those who need help the most.
