When Folks Lose Medicaid: Where Will They Go?

The Medicaid cuts are hitting home fast ahead of the actual implementation. We knew this would happen. Last week my friend, Katie texted me about an issue with Medicaid and her congressman she needed help navigating. I was glad to provide assistance.

I met Katie eight years ago and at that time, she shared her nightmare of dealing with the management of the disease as well as the ongoing fight for coverage. She is brilliant, hardworking and kind. I admire her deeply.

But her issue really stopped me in my tracks. Katie has a serious chronic condition called Myloid Leukemia. All her treatment and ongoing fight for coverage has been exhausting, brave and heartbreaking, but she has prevailed by constantly working to the extent she can weekly, calling, emailing and researching options. She also has significant medical debt, like many Americans, as well as working through bankruptcy, like many Americans. Her healthcare costs were being paid in large part by both Medicare and Medicaid. She is now losing that due to Medicaid requirements that are challenging and unwieldy as well as ever-changing.

Last week, she outlined what she currently has to do weekly and monthly to prove all the specifics around her disease and work. It is dozens of hours per month. Honestly, it is like a full time job. Further, it is never exactly clear what Medicaid and Medicare want. Again, Katie is an incredibly smart woman with a strong work ethic and has worked hard to do everything accurately. Still, she often gets responses that hold or stop her Medicaid coverage intermittently.
She is not unique and these rules are already tough to manage, wait until they become truly onerous.
I tried to help her with her congressman, but sadly, I’m not hopeful, because congress is not really planning ahead for this imminent tragedy and is failing to fill in the gaps right now. I hope that gets better.

The simple fact: income, treatment and health requirement documentation takes dozens of hours per month, right now in 2025. What about when the amount work requirement documentation doubles in 2026 under Trump? What about when requirements are 200% stricter in 2026 under Trump? What about the millions of people who won’t even be able to apply because of their status or situation? What about when funding for hospitals, clinics and skilled nursing homes gets cut later this year causing 40% of those facilities to close/end services, beginning later in 2025, under Trump? All due to the Big, Bad Bill and Trump.

So what do Americans do when government and this new fascist administration take over and annihilate our rights? We, the people take charge by helping our neighbors.
Yes, it is that simple. We have to help folks.

Katie’s story provoked me into action. I wanted to know: where will folks go? I started to research, ask experts and look around for organizations who can fill in the gaps for folks who are losing or will lose healthcare. There are not a great deal of options, but a few solid options. So I decided to take two steps: 1. share those helpful places designed for folks who have lost healthcare coverage or never had it (see below). 2. Put my money and energies where my mouth is and donate half of my Substack subscription earnings with a recurring donation to aid organizations as well as volunteering for them.

If you have time or resources, and it is not a hardship - I ask you do the same.

If you know someone who needs help…

Finding Local Care:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): These nonprofit, community-directed health centers offer comprehensive primary care services, regardless of the ability to pay. Fees are often based on a sliding scale according to income. Searching for "FQHC near me" or "Community health centers" will show local options.
• National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics : The NAFCC can help you find free or low-cost clinics in your area that provide medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services. These clinics primarily serve uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals. https://nafcclinics.org/
• Findhelp.org (formerly Aunt Bertha): This online database allows you to search for free or reduced-cost social services by entering your zip code. It can help you find medical care, food, housing, and other support services.

Get help with medical bills and prescriptions

• NeedyMeds: This non-profit organization provides a comprehensive database of programs that can help with medication and other medical costs. They also offer a drug discount card that can lower the cost of prescriptions.
• RxAssist: This portal helps you find patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. You can search for programs and get discount cards to reduce medication costs.
• Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF): For those with chronic, life-threatening, or debilitating diseases, PAF offers free case management services and financial aid. They can help you navigate insurance, access care, and pay for treatment.
• HealthWell Foundation: This organization provides financial assistance for underinsured people with chronic or life-altering diseases. They can help cover copayments, health insurance premiums, deductibles, and more.
• The PAN Foundation (Patient Access Network): The PAN Foundation helps underinsured people with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases with out-of-pocket medication costs. Their website features an eligibility finder to see if you qualify for a grant.
• Patient Assistance Programs: Many drug manufacturers offer their own programs to help patients afford medications.
• Chronic Condition Nonprofits’ Websites: Such as American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, etc.

How to Find Local Help:

1. Search Online: Use search terms like "free clinic near me" or "community health center" in your specific location.
2. Check with State Resources: Visit your state's health department website or Medicaid or CHIP information sitesfor a list of available resources for uninsured individuals.
3. Ask Your Doctor: If you have a relationship with a healthcare provider, they may be able to direct you to local assistance programs.
4. Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace: Consider enrolling in a plan on the ACA Marketplace, which may offer subsidies to make insurance more affordable.

What Can You Do To Help? Donate to Healthcare Nonprofits.

Go to these websites to find a free healthcare clinic to become a recurring donor to help them prepare for the people who will lack healthcare post Trump Cuts:

• National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics https://nafcclinics.org/find-c...
• Patient Advocate Foundation https://www.patientadvocate.or...
• Healthwell Foundation https://www.healthwellfoundati...

Let’s keep helping each other.
Thank you all for all you do!
Have a good week,