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Brenda Oluwalana and Patient Advocates Warn of Significant Medicaid Coverage Losses Under New Federal Regulations

Brenda Oluwalana, a West Valley City resident and Medicaid recipient, joined patient advocates to warn of impending healthcare cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The administration announced that the law, passed last summer, will significantly reduce Medicaid funding over the next decade, potentially leaving 7.5 million Americans without insurance by 2034. Advocates argue that new work requirements and frequent eligibility checks will create significant administrative burdens, making it harder for vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities, to maintain coverage. While the administration claimed the enrollment declines are due to fraud, many experts and beneficiaries expressed skepticism, noting that the expiration of enhanced subsidies and immigration policies also played major roles. Oluwalana highlighted the personal impact of the program, noting that Medicaid provided the continuous care necessary to prevent her from becoming completely blind. She emphasized that the cuts are not just numbers on a budget, but represent a shift in costs to taxpayers and emergency rooms, while also highlighting the double standard between the tax breaks given to the wealthy and the cuts made to the social safety net.

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