Big Changes Ahead: What Trump's New Bill Means for Health and the Environment

Medicaid Changes

The new law imposes work requirements for adults aged 19 to 64, requiring them to work at least 80 hours per month to maintain health coverage.

• Exemptions: Parents of young children and medically frail individuals.
• Concerns:
• Fewer people with health insurance.
• Increased costs for the insured.
• Indiana Impact:
• Potential closure of rural hospitals.
• Worse health outcomes and possible deaths.
• $1 trillion cut from Medicaid, shifting financial burden to states and taxpayers.

Environmental Policies

• Rollbacks:
• Green energy tax credits.
• Opening federal lands and waters to oil, gas, and coal leasing.
• Concerns:
• Increased pollution and health problems.
• Significant budget cuts to the EPA, hindering public health and environmental protection.

Criticisms and Impacts

• Beneficiaries: Corporations and the wealthy.
• Deficit Increase: $3.3 trillion over a decade.
• Health Coverage Loss: 11.8 million more people uninsured.
• Local Impact: Northwest Indiana communities already face high rates of asthma, lung cancer, and low life expectancy. Experts warn the bill could exacerbate these issues.

Call to Action

Experts urge local communities to support each other during these challenging times.