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The numbers of people who would be harmed by Trumpcare at the national level are horrifying—so horrifying that it can be hard to wrap your mind around them. But the state numbers can be a little more manageable, and feel closer to home, literally, and that’s where local news can have a major impact. The New York Times has rounded up local reporting on Trumpcare, and while it’s powerful to hear the director of Delaware’s Division of Public health saying that “The bills under consideration by Congress are simply inhumane … people will die,” the by-the-numbers reporting may bring it home the most directly: This could affect you, too.
In Alabama:
The loss of federal money would require the Alabama Legislature to raise taxes to replace the lost funds, or reduce services. The Republican-controlled bodies have never shown any willingness to increase taxes. That would likely mean cuts to the program, which could extend waiting times for patients, even those with private insurance, and lead to closures of hospitals and primary care practices, particularly in rural areas that count on Medicaid. — Montgomery Advertiser
In Pennsylvania:
Eliminating the Medicaid expansion would impact drug and alcohol treatment. About 124,000 people covered by the expansion have accessed such treatment. The cut would be especially damaging given the opioid addiction crisis, which is presently killing 13 Pennsylvania residents per day, according to Jennifer Smith, the acting secretary of drug and programs. — Penn Live
In Alaska:
The Better Care Reconciliation Act would start cutting Medicaid by the year 2021 if passed. For Alaska, the effects could be enormous as 10.3% of the population is in poverty and 26.4% have no health insurance, according to “Talk poverty”. The Medicaid cut also includes disability services.
Paid Medicare coverage would be cut to 100 days of skilled nursing care. The population of Alaskans 65+ is expected to reach 110,000 people by 2021. — YourAlaskaLink.com
And, as one Trump voter in South Dakota said, “What are they going to do? Throw us in the gutter somewhere?”
