The Truth About "one big beautiful bill" (OBBBA) and Disabled Americans

[Intro Music]

Mark Ingrassia:

Hello, I’m your host, Mark Ingrassia, and this is Special Ed Rising: PURGE 47 Edition, the show that keeps a close watch on government actions impacting the disability community.

If you’re here, you already know: when policies shift and rights are on the line, we can’t afford to look away.

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into what’s being called “The One Big Beautiful Bill”—or OBBBA for short. But let me be clear—there is nothing beautiful about this bill if you’re disabled, low-income, a caregiver, or just trying to survive.

This proposal is a wrecking ball. It threatens healthcare, food, housing, and independence for millions of Americans. So let’s get into the facts.

Before we begin, if you’re enjoying the show, take a moment to rate, review, subscribe, and share. More subscriptions help us climb the charts and bring this message to more people who need to hear it.

To support the podcast—or explore my parent coaching—head over to specialedrising.com. You'll find tips, resources, and tools for navigating life with exceptional learners.

Also, I’ve launched a GoFundMe for Sarah Ingledue, who’s trying to fulfill her dream of opening Ray’s Respite Care for her sister Rachel and others with severe medical disabilities. The link’s in the show notes. Every dollar helps.

[Transition Sound Effect]

Now, let’s get to the heart of it.

“There has never been anything like it as far as winning, winning, winning. The people are happy. They’re happy.”

,: 2025

Except—many of us aren’t happy. In fact, we’re terrified.

Let’s start with Medicaid—the lifeline for millions. OBBBA proposes slashing over $900 billion from Medicaid over the next decade. And that’s just the beginning.

It adds work requirements for adults aged 18 to 64—labeled “able-bodied adults without dependents.” Sounds simple, right? But here’s the truth: many disabled people don’t qualify as “disabled” under federal rules. Folks with mental illness, chronic pain, or episodic conditions like Crohn’s or bipolar disorder? They may be forced to prove they’re working—or lose coverage.

And those who rely on home- and community-based services, or HCBS, might see those gutted—pushing people into institutions after decades of hard-won progress.

Let’s talk about paperwork.

Under OBBBA, Medicaid recipients will need to submit monthly proof of work—pay stubs, job search logs, training documentation. For people with cognitive impairments, no internet access, or unstable housing? That’s a recipe for failure.

And failure here means losing healthcare.

Even missing one form, or submitting it late, can get you cut off. It creates “churn”—people lose coverage, reapply, lose it again. Gaps in meds, interrupted care, ER visits. This isn’t accountability—it’s cruelty.

Let’s call this what it is: a policy that punishes the vulnerable and turns Medicaid into a gatekeeper, not a support system.

States like Arkansas and Kentucky have tried these rules. Thousands lost coverage—not because they weren’t eligible, but because the paperwork was impossible.

As Zoe Gross of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network said,

“This is the largest Medicaid cut in history. These cuts could kill people.”

And now, let’s talk about food—because what’s more basic than that?

OBBBA cuts about $285 billion from SNAP, also known as food stamps.

SNAP is how millions put food on the table. But under OBBBA, it gets harder to qualify. If you’re not labeled “permanently disabled”—even if you have serious health issues—you may now need to prove you’re working to keep your benefits.

What about caregivers? Parents, adult children, folks who’ve left work to care for a loved one? Under OBBBA, they may have to work or train 80 hours a month—or lose SNAP.

Again: this isn’t about laziness. It’s about survival.

Most SNAP recipients get about $6 a day. That’s not a luxury—it’s barely lunch. When states like Kansas and Maine imposed similar rules, tens of thousands lost benefits. Hunger rose. Food bank lines grew.

This bill claims to reward work. What it really does is punish the vulnerable.

And if you think, “Well, at least SSDI and SSI are safe,” here’s the truth: they aren’t cut right now, but OBBBA creates $4.5 trillion in tax breaks for the rich. That hole in the budget? Congress will look to programs like SSDI and SSI to fill it later.

Michelle Robbins-Garcia from Access Living put it plainly:

“If Medicaid or home healthcare services are cut, disabled people won’t be able to go to work.”

Let’s not forget housing. It’s not directly cut, but many supportive housing programs rely on Medicaid. Lose that—lose the roof.

In Connecticut alone, nearly 279,000 people could lose insurance. And with Medicaid covering 70% of nursing home residents, these cuts hit seniors, disabled people, and rural hospitals hardest.

Nancy Gardiner summed it up:

“We’re not just cutting funding here—we’re cutting lifelines.”

Let’s not overlook another move—quiet, but just as cruel:

Accessibility grants? Gone.

Inclusive employment programs? Gone.

Green energy and housing retrofits for disabled communities? Gone.

These weren’t luxuries. They were lifelines.

Disability rights groups are united:

The Arc calls OBBBA “a catastrophic rollback.”

ADAPT says it will “push millions further into poverty.”

NDRN warns of “irreparable harm.”

And here’s a distraction tactic you might’ve heard:

“No tax on tips.”

Let’s unpack that.

Trump floated the idea of making tips tax-free at a Vegas rally. But OBBBA doesn’t include it. It’s not in the bill. Tips are still taxable. It’s a campaign line, not policy.

What is in the bill?

Permanent tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

The top tax rate drops from 39.6% to 37%.

Corporate taxes stay low.

Tax shelters for investment income get bigger.

king-class benefits expire in: 2025

And OBBBA keeps the SALT deduction cap—which penalizes middle-income homeowners in states like New York and California.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t reform. It’s a shell game.

The wealthy get permanent cuts.

The rest of us get slogans and scraps.

And while we’re distracted by “no tax on tips,” real people are losing food, housing, and healthcare.

This isn’t just politics—it’s lives.

So what can you do?

📣 Share this episode.

📣 Call your representatives.

📣 Ask the hard questions.

📣 Join advocacy groups like The Arc, ADAPT, and NDRN.

📣 Support community fundraisers like Sarah Ingledue’s respite center.

Because silence is complicity. And we rise together—or not at all.

This has been Special Ed Rising: PURGE 47 Edition. I’m Mark Ingrassia. Thank you for listening. Stay informed. Stay ready. And don’t stop fighting.

[Outro Music & Show Notes Plug]

Visit specialedrising.com for more resources, coaching, and links mentioned in today’s episode. Until next time—be safe and stay loud.