From Coverage to Crisis: Beatty Roundtable Highlights Human Cost of Trump’s Historic Health Care Cuts

COLUMBUS, OH – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) hosted “Medicaid & Medicare Matter: From Coverage to Crisis,” a roundtable discussion with Central Ohio health policy advocates, county health officials, and community leaders to examine the real-life consequences of historic Medicaid cuts enacted by Republicans’ H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Marking the 60th anniversary of the enactment of Medicaid and Medicare, the event spotlighted the critical role these programs play in ensuring access to health care for millions of Americans and the implications OBBBA’s devastating cuts will have on individuals, families, and health systems in Ohio and across the country.

For Congresswoman Beatty, a long-time health equity advocate, “This isn’t policy—it’s personal. These cuts will strip coverage, bankrupt families, and shut down vital care facilities across Ohio,” Beatty said. 

“Just weeks ago, President Trump signed into law what he calls the One Big Beautiful Bill. But there is nothing beautiful about stripping health care from millions of Americans. That’s why House Democrats and I call it what it truly is: the One Big Ugly Law,” said Beatty.

Featured panelists included:

• Joy Bivens – Franklin County Deputy County Administrator of Department of Health and Human Services
• Fran Ryan – Former Columbus City Councilmember and Community Leader
• Anthony Trotman – Public Sector Executive; Medicaid Policy Advisor; and former Director of the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
• Katie White  – Administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
• State Senator Beth Liston, MD, PhD – Virtual Appearance – A physician, educator and Assistant Minority Whip of the Ohio Senate who serves as the Ranking Member of the Medicaid Committee, the Health Committee, and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. 

In addition to discussing OBBBA’s Medicaid cuts, participants also addressed the importance of protecting Medicare from future threats and how the two programs often work together to ensure health care access for seniors. Taken together, OBBBA’s policies will have significant consequences for health care delivery across Ohio at both the state and county levels. Following a moderated panel discussion on these topics, Central Ohio community leaders had the opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about health care affordability, access to care, and local and state health care infrastructure.

This event was part of a national effort by House Democrats during the August District Work Period to spotlight the human cost of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, uplift community voices, and affirm their commitment to defend and strengthen access to health care for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable. 

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