’This marks a decision to go backwards’: Robert Reich on One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Healthcare System & Policy Analysis - The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is considered a significant setback for the US healthcare system [1] - The bill represents the largest upward transfer of wealth in US history and the largest cut to healthcare ever seen [3] - The US healthcare system spends almost 19% of the national product, more than any other advanced economy, yet sees declining health outcomes [8] - The US system is a corporate for-profit system, leading to money flowing into shareholders and CEOs rather than healthcare outcomes [9] - Cuts to Medicaid will disproportionately affect red states, impacting working-class and poor white people [13] - Approximately 40% of children rely on Medicaid for health insurance [15] Rural Healthcare Crisis - Cuts to healthcare, especially ES (Essential Services) and other programs, could force the closure of hundreds of financially vulnerable rural hospitals [1] - A $50 billion fund for rural hospitals may not be enough to prevent closures [1] - Loss of Medicaid funding for hospitals will lead to loss of access to doctors in rural areas [14] Injustice & Potential Backlash - Cutting Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) to fund tax cuts for the wealthy is seen as a basic injustice [18] - A backlash against the inequality and injustice caused by the bill is anticipated, potentially leading to a new progressive era [21]