Article Summary –
Jason Endres, a disabled advocate, criticizes the $1 trillion Medicaid cuts under the 2025 budget law signed by President Trump, citing that it threatens essential services for people with disabilities, including himself and his wife. The cuts are projected to result in significant revenue losses for hospitals, especially in rural areas, and increased uninsured rates, with federal Medicaid spending expected to reduce by $326 billion over ten years. Critics argue that the law prioritizes tax benefits for corporations like Amazon over accessible healthcare, while proponents claim it eliminates waste and fraud, enhancing the efficiency of programs like Medicaid.
Jason Endres calls for more voices from individuals with disabilities like himself to oppose the proposed $1 trillion Medicaid cuts over the next decade, included in the budget law President Donald Trump signed last summer.
Endres, a 51-year-old from Eau Claire with spina bifida, understands the fear of publicly opposing the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed on July 4, 2025.
“Over my 20-plus years of advocating, I noticed those who aren’t speaking up fear losing their funding,” Endres shared. “That fear is significant, but I believe it’s wrong.”
Endres and his wife, both disabled, rely on Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance, and Medicare, receiving at-home assistance for daily tasks. They participate in Wisconsin’s IRIS program for customized care.
He worries federal law changes might reduce his service affordability. Endres expressed disappointment in Trump and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Eau Claire’s congressional representative.
“It felt like they disregarded us as disabled people,” Endres remarked.
Hospitals in Van Orden’s district face losing over $42 million annually due to the budget law, reported by Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank.
After the bill’s signing, Third Way’s analysis estimated U.S. hospitals would lose $24 billion annually in revenue, citing data from the National Academy for State Health Policy’s Hospital Cost Tool and Medicaid cuts data from KFF.
Grace Kim, Van Orden’s spokesperson, stated: “Wisconsin’s Medicaid should focus on children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The Working Families Tax Cuts enhance the program by addressing waste and fraud. The ‘cuts’ refer to requiring able-bodied adults to work. If capable, you should be working.”
KFF reported that the budget law’s work requirement would reduce Medicaid spending by $326 billion over 10 years and increase uninsured Americans by 5.3 million by 2034.
Van Orden applauded $203 million allocated to Wisconsin via the Rural Health Transformation Program aimed at enhancing rural healthcare access.
Yet, KFF projections last summer showed Wisconsin facing $7 billion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years, with $137 billion reductions in rural areas nationally, compared to $50 billion from the rural health program.
Joe Zepecki, of Protect Our Care Wisconsin, noted healthcare access is already challenging under the budget law and is expected to worsen.
Protect Our Care’s report highlighted three Wisconsin hospitals at risk and clinic closures since the budget law. Such closures hit rural areas hardest due to limited alternatives.
“Health insurance doesn’t help if care facilities are hours away,” Zepecki stated.
Zepecki referenced Politico’s report stating Amazon’s tax reduced from $9 billion to $1.2 billion, corresponding with a 45% profit increase to $90 billion, due to the budget bill.
“The priorities of Congress and the president are clear: they care more about Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s $7.8 billion tax relief than affordable healthcare,” he said.
Endres hopes Congress and Republicans reconsider Medicaid funding cuts.
“I doubt that will happen,” he concluded.
—
Read More Wisconsin News
