Big Beautiful Bill: More questions than answers
Serving Our Seniors director concerned about Medicaid cuts in sweeping GOP package that awaits President Trump's signature today
SANDUSKY — Sue Daugherty, director of Serving Our Seniors, says she is still seeking answers about how proposed federal health-care legislation — known as the Big Beautiful Bill — will impact the older adults her agency serves.
Daugherty said she’s contacted Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-9th District, and Ohio’s U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, to ask how the bill could affect Medicaid and Medicare programs. As of this week, she said, she has not received a response.
Concerned
Among her primary concerns are whether low-income seniors will be required to pay the full $180 monthly premium for Medicare Part B — a cost that is currently subsidized for qualifying individuals through programs like the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB).
She is also seeking clarification on whether the bill would eliminate funding for the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), which provides counseling support to Medicare beneficiaries. Daugherty said Serving Our Seniors relies heavily on OSHIIP for accurate information and support.
Daugherty said that while she is not currently seeing new financial or health stressors among seniors, any loss of Medicaid funding could have wider implications. She pointed to local providers such as Family Health Services and the Erie County Health Department, which rely heavily on Medicaid to offer outpatient care and public health services.
County health commissioner Pete Schade said there’s a lot in the “BBB” to be concerned about. Staytunedsandusky also asked David Tatro, the director of Family Health Services, about the bill and will publish his response when it is received.
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After six months of rapid drafting, partisan wrangling and procedural showdowns, Congress has passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”— a sweeping reconciliation package making Trump-era tax cuts permanent, expanding military and border spending, and slashing Medicaid and other safety-net programs.
The bill cleared the Senate 51–50 on July 1, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie, and passed in the House again on July 3 after an overnight session. It now awaits President Trump’s signature, expected by today, July 4, capping off one of the most consequential legislative pushes of his second term.
“I confess to not being knowledgeable enough about the cuts included in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ to be relied on as a resource or any sort of expert,” Daugherty said, adding that she is continuing to seek information.
Asked what message she would send to lawmakers, Daugherty said: “My concern is for those entities who rely on Medicaid funding to remain operational to provide health-care services.”
What’s in the Big Beautiful Bill?
Makes Trump-era tax cuts permanent for individuals and corporations
Expands military and border security spending by billions of dollars
Implements significant cuts to Medicaid and other safety-net programs
Proposes changes to Medicare premiums, potentially raising costs for low-income seniors
Includes reductions or eliminations in funding for senior support programs like OSHIIP
Passed the Senate July 1 by a narrow 51–50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote
Passed the House July 3 after an overnight session, now awaiting President Trump’s signature
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Big Beautiful Bill timeline
May 22 – House passes initial version, 215–214
June – Senate revises bill; trims controversial items
July 1 – Senate passes, 51–50 (VP Vance breaks tie)
July 3 – House approves final version, 218–214
Next – Awaits Trump’s signature by July 4
Staytunedsandusky is preparing a list of questions based on responses we received from local leaders and is sending those questions to Kaptur, Husted and Moreno. We will be reporting their responses.
If you have questions about the “Big Beautiful Bill” and how it might impact you or members of your family or friends, please list them in the comments section and we will follow up.
If you are an older adult, caregiver, or health professional with questions or concerns about how the Big Beautiful Bill might affect you or those you serve, we’re especially interested in your views and concerns. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.