For years, Donald Trump and the Republican Party have pushed the idea of a better health care plan—one that would supposedly be cheaper, more efficient, and better for working families. But after nearly a decade of talk, there is still no plan—just vague “concepts.” Instead, what we see now is an attempt to slash Medicaid to fund massive tax cuts for the wealthy, a move that will disproportionately harm Black Americans, low-income families, and people with disabilities.
Medicaid Keeps Black Families Afloat
Medicaid isn’t just a “government handout” as some conservatives have framed it—it’s a lifeline. Over 80 million Americans, including millions of Black families, rely on Medicaid for basic health care needs like doctor visits, emergency care, childbirth, and prescriptions. In many states, more than half of Black children are covered by Medicaid.
But instead of strengthening the program, Republicans are looking to cut as much as $880 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. The irony? Even some Republican lawmakers—who once called Medicaid a burden—are now realizing that their own constituents rely on it.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a long-time critic of Medicaid, has suddenly changed his tone, backing away from the harshest cuts. He now insists the GOP will focus on “fraud, waste, and abuse” instead of gutting the program—but that won’t deliver the savings they need to finance tax cuts.
Why Black Americans Will Feel This the Most
Black Americans already face higher rates of chronic illnesses, maternal mortality, and limited access to quality health care. Cutting Medicaid will only make these disparities worse.
• Maternal Health Crisis: Black women are already three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. With over 60% of births in some states covered by Medicaid, any cuts could mean fewer resources, more hospital closures, and higher death rates.
• Chronic Illnesses: Many Black Americans rely on Medicaid for treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Fewer benefits mean more expensive care—or no care at all.
• Rural and Urban Health Care Deserts: Medicaid cuts could force hospitals and clinics to shut down, leaving Black communities without accessible care.
No Plan, Just Tax Cuts for the Rich
The most frustrating part? Trump and the GOP have had years to present a real health care plan—and they haven’t. Instead, they keep floating the same empty promises, while quietly making moves to take health care away from the most vulnerable.
This isn’t the fault of Black Americans. The system was never designed to serve us fairly, and now, it’s being gutted even further—not to fix health care, but to make the wealthy even richer.
