The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump a year ago, has become a contentious issue in the lead-up to the midterms. The law’s cutbacks to key safety-net programs such as Medicaid and food stamps have sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it will harm vulnerable populations.

Medicaid Cuts Spark Outrage

The law is projected to slash roughly $1.2 trillion from the federal Medicaid program through 2035, leaving 7.5 million more people without coverage by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The most notable provision adds a federal work requirement to Medicaid, a longtime GOP goal. Democrats have seized on the issue, with many arguing that the cuts will disproportionately affect rural areas and low-income families.

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have defended the law, arguing that it will help to root out waste and fraud in the Medicaid system. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents Wisconsin’s 3rd District, said that the reforms were necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program.

Rural Healthcare at Risk

The law’s impact on rural healthcare has been a particular point of concern. The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, designed to buttress rural healthcare, has been touted by Republicans as a key provision of the law. However, experts argue that the program does not come close to replacing the estimated $137 billion in federal Medicaid funding that rural areas are projected to lose over a decade.

Democrats have launched a campaign to highlight the healthcare cuts, with one healthcare advocacy group, Protect Our Care, launching a nearly $5 million campaign in more than a dozen key states. The group argues that the law will have a devastating impact on working families and vulnerable populations.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.