Article Summary –
Krysten Xanthis credits Medicaid with saving her leg and sustaining her health, as she cannot afford the surgeries, braces, and medication without this public health insurance. Recent cuts to Medicaid funding, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act pushed by congressional Republicans and signed by President Donald Trump, threaten Xanthis and millions of others who rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage. The Act, criticized for prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy and other Republican agendas, has already led to healthcare facility closures and reduced services, leaving Xanthis and others deeply concerned about their future access to necessary medical care.
Krysten Xanthis attributes her current well-being to Medicaid, saying her life might be drastically different, possibly losing a leg after multiple surgeries from a fall, without it.
As a home health care aide in Scranton, Xanthis earns insufficient income to cover her six surgeries, $800 brace, or $290 monthly pain medication without Medicaid. Her job lacks benefits, leaving her reliant on this public health insurance.
Following the Republican-led One Big Beautiful Bill Act significantly reducing Medicaid funding, Xanthis fears for her future and that of the 70.3 million Americans, including 3 million Pennsylvanians, enrolled in the program.
“Cuts to Medicaid could leave me with nothing,” Xanthis said, emphasizing her inability to afford necessary treatments like MRIs or physical therapy without the program.
As a Medicaid advocate, Xanthis criticized her congressman, U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, for supporting the cuts. She appeared in an ad by Unrig Our Economy, challenging Bresnahan and calling for the continuation of Medicaid.
Bresnahan, who ousted Democrat Matt Cartwright in 2024, faced scrutiny after reports by NBC News and OAN revealed he sold stocks in Medicaid-provider companies before backing Medicaid cuts.
He claims no involvement in his financial decisions, attributing his wealth to a successful pre-political career.
Xanthis says the Medicaid cuts are a betrayal to struggling Americans, including those facing healthcare and living cost hikes. Without Medicaid, her mother, a glaucoma patient, and a friend battling cancer would be unable to afford treatment.
“The decision-makers care more about themselves than the people,” Xanthis expressed.
All Democrats opposed the bill, which cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over ten years. The act threatens Pennsylvanians’ coverage and funds for rural hospitals and health facilities.
Post-passage, health centers are shutting down, and caregivers are seeing pay cuts. Planned Parenthood closed 20 clinics due to funding losses.
Xanthis, now limited to twice-weekly therapy, fears losing Medicaid coverage entirely, threatening her work and income. “I worry about my future without Medicaid,” she stated, concerned over the new insurance checks at her doctor’s office.
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