What GOP Medicaid Cuts Mean for Patients
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). The bill makes sweeping changes to Medicaid, including a 15% cut to spending. This could affect thousands of patients, reducing access to care, increasing costs, and forcing many to lose coverage.
The cuts would lead to a reduction of almost $1 trillion over the next 10 years. According to the Congressional Budget Office, this number could translate into close to 10 million Americans losing their health coverage. At Simplefill, we help patients afford their medications despite these challenges.
How Will New Medicaid Work Requirements Affect Patients?
The largest cuts to Medicaid will come as a result of a proposed Medicaid work requirement.
In 40 states and Washington D.C., all of which have expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, enrolling in Medicaid will require you to prove that you are either working, volunteering, or going to school for at least 80 hours a month. However, it may be possible to apply for an exemption.
The change would not impact employment rates, since the majority of people who don’t receive disability benefits already work, are looking for employment, or go to school. It will impact health coverage, however, and could result in millions losing the assistance they need.
Will It Be Harder to Get Affordable Care Act Coverage Under the OBBB?
For people who may be able to apply to President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) for their health coverage, the OBBB could mean more difficulties with enrolling and even trouble maintaining eligibility.
Instead of being able to re-enroll every year like the system has allowed until now, people will need to update their income and immigration status annually.
Will the Open Enrollment Period Change?
The open enrollment period is now shorter by almost a month. Additionally, anyone applying outside of the enrollment period will need to wait for all of their paperwork to be processed before they can receive subsidies to assist in the payment of their monthly premiums.
How Will Medicaid Cuts Affect Rural Communities?
The OBBB targets states, and this will impact rural communities the most. There will be less money available for all manner of healthcare services.
This is a consequence of how the OBBB impacts provider taxes, which is a practice that states use to increase Medicaid payments to nursing homes, hospitals, private-managed care companies, and many other health services. The OBBB cuts provider taxes, which could lead to more than 300 rural hospital closures.
Will Seeing a Doctor Cost More Under the OBBB?
Those already on Medicaid can expect to pay more out of pocket when they see their doctor because of the OBBB.
The bill requires states that have expanded their Medicaid coverage to charge enrollees up to $35 for certain services if their incomes fall between the federal poverty level and 138% of that amount (for an individual, between $15,650 and $21,597).
Studies consistently show that even a small copay will prompt people not to seek care. Although this policy won’t impact those seeking mental health services, substance abuse treatment, or primary care, it can still leave patients with copays for other services that they may not be able to afford.
How Will the OBBB Affect Immigrant Health Coverage?
The OBBB could make it possible for hundreds of thousands of lawful immigrants to lose their health coverage under the ACA. This would be the result of cutting the subsidies that keep premiums affordable.
The immigrants who are most likely to lose coverage are those who are younger than the average American demographic that depends on the ACA. This means an older and less healthy population will make up the majority of the ACA marketplace, leading to higher premiums for everyone.
How to Afford Medications Under OBBB
If you depend on Medicaid for your health coverage, President Trump’s OBBB will likely impact you. Visits to your doctor will be more costly, and affording your medications can become even more difficult than it is now.
For those who struggle with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or diabetes, this could translate into needing to skip or halve doses.
To ensure you receive the treatments you need, there are patient assistance programs that make affording your medications easier. At Simplefill, we work with insurance providers, pharmacies, and even pharmaceutical companies to help our members receive the best discounts.
If you depend on Medicaid for your health coverage, President Trump’s OBBB will likely impact you. Visits to your doctor will be more costly, and affording your medications could become even more difficult than it is now. For a broader perspective on how federal policy affects treatments, see our blog on The Trump Administration’s Impact on Drug Development.
Get Affordable Access to Prescription Medications
Simplefill is a full-service prescription assistance company that researches, qualifies, and maintains patients’ enrollment in all sources of assistance available to them.
Apply today by calling 877-386-0206. A caring Simplefill representative will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your application and, if qualified, enroll you in the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people could lose Medicaid coverage under the OBBB?
According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly 10 million Americans may lose coverage over the next decade due to cuts and new requirements.
Do Medicaid work requirements increase employment?
Studies show they don’t significantly boost employment. Instead, they mostly cause eligible people to lose coverage because of reporting and paperwork hurdles.
How will rural communities across the U.S. be affected?
Rural areas could see more than 300 hospital closures and reduced funding for providers, nursing homes, and managed care programs.
Will doctor visits cost more under the OBBB?
Yes. In Medicaid expansion states, some enrollees may face copays up to $35 per visit for certain services, although primary care, mental health, and substance use treatment remain exempt.
What happens to immigrants relying on ACA subsidies?
Hundreds of thousands of lawful immigrants could lose coverage if subsidies are cut, leaving ACA marketplaces with an older, less healthy pool and driving up premiums for everyone.
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