I Hate Writing About This, But I Have To
I don’t like talking about politics on social media, and I certainly don’t like writing about it here. But this isn’t about politics—it’s about livelihood.
I feel like I’ve written this post a dozen times. I hate that I have to keep writing about government funding, budget cuts, and restructuring. I hate that every few months, I have to sit down and explain. Once again, I must clarify why Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid aren’t just line items on a budget. They are lifelines for millions of people, including myself.
I wish I didn’t have to keep writing about this. I won’t stay silent until I am confident that my future is safe. The future of millions of others must also be safe for me to stay silent. Because the moment we stop speaking out, those in power believe they can do whatever they want.
Why This Matters (Again)
There’s talk of making deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Do I think it’ll happen? Maybe not to the extent being proposed, but the fact that it’s even a possibility is terrifying. Medicaid/Medicare is a life line for people like me.
If it does happen, here’s what it means for me:
- SSDI helps cover my portion of household bills and the costs of having a service dog. I work part-time, but last year, I made about $1,600 before taxes—not nearly enough to live on.
- Medicare covers my $50,000 power wheelchair. If they slash funding, approvals for equipment and repairs could take months. If my chair breaks down, my independence is gone.
- Medicare and Medicaid cover my PCA (Personal Care Assistant) hours. These hours help me conserve energy. This way, I can focus on things that bring me joy. Examples of these activities are writing and spending time with friends. If they take those hours away, I risk serious health consequences. Even a reduction means needing a shoulder replacement sooner rather than later.
And then there’s Jason, my longtime PCA, who also relies on this income. If his hours are cut, he loses a major source of financial stability. That means losing our home. It’s that simple.
This isn’t just about me. This is about millions of people—seniors, disabled folks, low-income families—who depend on these programs to survive.
In a recent Disability Scoop post dated March 19, 2025, they tell the story of Xavier. He has a rare genetic immune disorder. It undermines his body’s ability to fight disease. California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, provides Xavier with the treatments he needs. It offers resources to his family as well. This support helps him live as normal of a life as possible.
His mother is quoted saying:
“It’s allowed him to go to school. It’s allowed him to be home and not living in a hospital 24 hours a day,”
Parents of children with special health care needs aren’t the only ones raising concerns about potential cuts. Disability advocates, health care providers, budget analysts, and state lawmakers have also voiced alarm. The House proposal passed on February 25 does not explicitly call for Medicaid cuts.
Nonetheless, it instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This committee oversees the program. It needs to find $880 billion in savings over the next decade. According to experts, reaching that level of savings would be nearly impossible without reducing Medicaid funding.
I Hate Writing About This, But I Can’t Stop
Every time I write about Social Security or Medicare or government cuts, I feel like a broken record. I’ve covered this before:
- When Budget Cuts Hit Home: How Social Security Reductions Are Impacting Us All
- Disability Services in Minnesota: A Crisis That Needs Fixing
- How Policy Changes Could Impact Disability Support Services
And yet, here we are again.
I wish I could stop writing about this. I wish I could move on. But I can’t. The second we stop talking about it, the people in power win. The moment we get exhausted and say “Oh well, nothing we can do,” they triumph.
What Can We Do?
- Talk about it.
- Even if it feels repetitive, even if it’s exhausting—keep the conversation going.
- Contact your legislators.
- I know, I know—Congress is a mess. But if enough of us make noise, they have to listen.
- Get your story out there.
- Talk to the media.
- Write to local newspapers.
- Use social media.
I don’t want to write another post like this in six days, in six weeks, or in six months. But if I have to, I will.
Because this isn’t politics. This is life.
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