Summary
A proposed budget bill, backed by the Trump administration, could lead to a rise in uninsured Americans by cutting Medicaid and affecting Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage. Alton Fry, a self-employed contractor, struggles to afford cancer treatment without insurance, highlighting the financial strain on those who are not covered.
Key Facts
- Alton Fry, diagnosed with prostate cancer, is trying to pay for treatment without health insurance.
- Fry's income is too high to qualify for Medicaid in Georgia but ACA plans are too costly for him.
- Over 26 million Americans were uninsured in early 2024.
- States that haven't expanded Medicaid have higher uninsured rates than those that have.
- If the proposed budget passes, 10.9 million more people could lose insurance by 2034.
- Proposed rule changes might push the number of uninsured to 16 million people.
- The Senate parliamentarian blocked some health-related provisions in the bill.
- The bill aims to extend tax cuts, mainly benefiting the wealthy, while targeting health coverage reductions.
