A Big Beautiful Bill

This Independence Day Weekend has been a busy one. Barbecue, fireworks, and a Big Beautiful Bill. The last one could pass for Monica Lewinsky's nickname for former President Clinton. However, it's actually a huge piece of legislation that was passed by Congress and the Senate and signed by President Trump on July 4th. It's more a less a republican bill so don't expect it to cover lesbian pottery classes in Lithuania.

There's a lot to unpack with this one. In short, it contains more than a thousand pages and covers the hiring of border patrols agents, strengthening the military, ensuring that tips aren't taxed, and making changes to Medicaid (also known as Medical assistance), which is government-funded healthcare

A picture of the money you will save if lazy people are forced to work.

Naturally, the Medicaid changes are ruffling the most feathers, since able-bodied individuals from the ages of 19 to 64 will be required to work (oh the horror!) in order to access Medicaid funding. Pregnant women, children, and parents of children under the age of 14 will not experience any changes.

Seems pretty straightforward, right? Medicaid will have less funding, since employed individuals will be responsible for paying some of the cost. This sounds reasonable to people already working who basically pay all of their healthcare costs. Even if your employer covers half of the premium, your wages are lowered to make up for it. Don't get me started with mentions of Canada having free healthcare. When a tiny, cramped house costs a million dollars, you really have to question how free the healthcare really is. That probably explains the low birthrate. It's hard to conceive in a closet. It gives the term "Canada Dry" a whole new meaning.

A billionaire's house in Canada.

Previously, the general public had to fund the healthcare of the consistently unemployed. And that bill covers a long list of wasteful treatment. Think drug users who have been to residential treatment for the fifth time, weekly hospitalizations for chronic alcoholics, and frequent ER visits for the common cold--all on the taxpayer's dime. Medicaid also covers 3 times per week dialysis at $2,000 a pop for people who have no intention of getting healthier and weekly therapy for years on end for patients who have shown no improvement. And it's even covered gender-affirming surgery. HIPAA prevents most from seeing these details, however, those in the Social Service and Nursing fields know all too well how poorly these funds have been spent.

People who rely on public assistance for years on end (let's be honest, this is most of them) don't take great care of themselves. They are typically morbidly obese, smoke like a chimney and drink until they can't anymore. And that's their freedom to do so, but not at the expense of those who work to better themselves and the lives of their family. In a time where less and less people want to work, those who choose to do so should reap as much of the benefits as possible. Of course, kids should still get coverage and so should pregnant women. This also extends to parent of minors. However, nothing in this world is free. Somebody else paid for it through their hard work and motivation and those receiving the benefit should be grateful.