House Republicans are finalizing the details of what they call the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at reforms in health care that includes significant cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Critics, particularly Democrats, are branding it as the “One Big Ugly Bill,” highlighting that the measure, having narrowly passed in the Senate, could jeopardize health insurance for roughly 11.8 million adults and children across the nation once it is signed into law.
The bill seeks to achieve nearly $1 trillion in savings over the next decade by reducing enrollment and tightening eligibility requirements for these key health programs. Many experts contend that this effort to cut costs threatens the health and well-being of some of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
U.S. Rep. Oye Owelowa, the shadow representative for the District, expressed deep concern about the potential consequences of this legislation.
“Today is a dark day for the millions of Americans who rely on this nation’s promises of care, fairness, and opportunity,” Owelowa said.
He argued that the recently passed Senate bill represents a dangerous unraveling of America’s social contract, masquerading as fiscal responsibility and economic growth.
While proponents of the bill, including President Donald Trump, assert they are targeting wasteful spending, critics point to the president’s own costly expenditures since returning to the White House, which they label as excessive and unnecessary.
For instance, the lavish Army 250th Anniversary Parade, held on June 14—Trump’s 79th birthday—was estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million for logistics and military displays.
Additional expenses from the event, which included repairs to infrastructure damaged by heavy tracked vehicles, could exceed $16 million.
Trump’s frequent trips to his properties, such as Mar-a-Lago and Bedminster, have also added to taxpayer burdens, with costs exceeding $30 million by late March due to the extensive security measures required.
Environmental concerns further complicate the narrative surrounding presidential spending, with analysts estimating that the parade alone produced over 2 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions.
Critics like Sen. Elizabeth Warren have seized on these expenditures to argue against the perception of a responsible fiscal policy.
“For example, with that money, we could expand health care & food assistance for veterans. A taxpayer-paid birthday gift to Trump sounds like government waste to me,” Warren wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The potential fallout from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is notably severe for the District of Columbia, where the impact could see a notable increase in the uninsured rate.
According to projections from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the legislation could increase the D.C. uninsured rate by five percentage points, representing one of the largest jumps in the nation.
This estimation does not even account for the looming expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits, which could exacerbate the situation further.
Owelowa did not mince words, stating, “Let’s be clear: this bill is not beautiful. It is brutal.”
He delineated the drastic funding cuts within the proposed legislation, highlighting slashes of more than $800 billion from Medicaid and $300 billion from essential nutrition assistance programs like SNAP.
Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate critical clean energy investment, a move Owelowa claims is made to accommodate over $2 trillion in tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and corporations.
With nearly 300,000 residents currently enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in the District, comprising close to 40% of its population, the ramifications of the bill are alarming.
The bill’s implementation of mandatory work reporting requirements and penalties for states with expanded coverage threatens to undermine the gains made in health security for low-income residents.
Nationally, around 78 million Americans depend on Medicaid and another 24 million are covered through ACA marketplace plans.
If the bill passes alongside the expiration of enhanced tax credits, the Congressional Budget Office projects that 16 million more individuals could become uninsured by 2034 compared to current healthcare laws.
Policy experts warn of the dire consequences, with D.C. hospitals and clinics bracing for increased costs due to a likely rise in uncompensated care as uninsured patients delay seeking treatment.
Moreover, local public health programs stand at risk of facing budget deficits due to a drop in federal funding tied to decreased enrollment.
Owelowa firmly opposes the legislation, which he asserts will deepen societal inequalities rather than support those in need.
He urged Washingtonians to engage in advocacy against the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” asserting that it is crucial to pursue policies aimed at uplifting communities and enhancing access to health care.
“Now more than ever, we must pursue policies that lift people up, protect access to health care, and advance economic opportunities and not push through ideologically driven measures that deepen inequality and harm our most underserved communities,” Owelowa concluded.
image source from：washingtoninformer
