In this urgent episode of PURGE 47, host Mark Ingrassia breaks down the alarming new bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives—by just one vote—that threatens to upend Medicaid and jeopardize essential services for millions of people with disabilities.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” part of former President Trump’s domestic agenda, could slash nearly $700 billion from Medicaid funding, impose harsh work requirements on adult recipients, and create bureaucratic hurdles that risk cutting coverage for many who truly qualify.

Mark explains what these changes mean on the ground—how Medicaid is far from a “bloated entitlement” and is instead the lifeline supporting personal care aides, therapies, assistive technologies, and more.

This bill hits the most vulnerable hardest—children with complex medical needs, adults with developmental disabilities, seniors, and family caregivers.

But the fight isn’t over. The bill now heads to the Senate, and YOU can help stop it. Learn how to raise your voice, share your story, and contact your senators to protect Medicaid and the dignity of the disability community.

Tune in, stay informed, and take action—because the fight for disability rights and essential care has only just begun.

Resources & Calls to Action:

• Call your senators: “Vote NO on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Protect Medicaid.”
• Share your Medicaid story on social media with #SaveMedicaid #DisabilityRights #NoParentLeftBehind
• Encourage your networks—therapists, teachers, family, and friends—to join the fight.

🛑 This is about more than policy. It’s about people.

Call. Share. Speak out.

Hosted by: Mark Ingrassia

Podcast: PURGE 47 — Keeping a close watch on government actions impacting the disability community.

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Episode Summary:

The Department of Education is under fire like never before. Budget cuts, mass layoffs, program terminations, and a controversial new tip portal backed by Moms for Liberty are reshaping federal education policy. In this episode, we break down the latest attacks on public education, their implications for students and teachers, and the growing resistance pushing back against these changes. *Post the release of this episode I came across a reference to the "snitch" portal saying it has been shut down by in influx of spam emails. I have not been able to confirm this.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Budget & Staff Cuts: The drastic reductions in funding and personnel that could cripple essential education programs.

✅ Moms for Liberty’s Tip Portal: The controversial reporting tool that’s being flooded with spam in protest.

✅ Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education: What her leadership could mean for the future of the Department of Education.

✅ The Pushback: How activists, educators, and concerned citizens are resisting these efforts to dismantle public education.

How You Can Take Action:

📢 Flood the Portal: Submit nonsense to disrupt its effectiveness.

🗣 Spread Awareness: Share this episode and use social media to inform others.

☎️ Call Lawmakers: Demand action against these harmful policies.

🤝 Support Educators: Stand with those targeted by these changes.

⚖️ Explore Legal Challenges: Work with organizations fighting to protect education.

Sources Referenced:

• Mathew Rodriquez (them.us)
• Russell Payne (Salon.com)
• Politico.com
• AP News
• Ed.gov
• Cory Turner (npr.org)

📌 Stay tuned, stay informed, and stay ready—because this fight has just begun!

https://www.salon.com/2025/02/27/moms-for-liberty-education-department-launch-program-to-report-teachers-promote-diversity/

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/12/nx-s1-5325854/trump-education-department-layoffs-civil-rights-student-loans

🎧 Listen now and join the resistance!

Podcast Show Notes: Understanding Medicaid & The Fight to Protect It

Introduction

• Welcome to the show! Today, I'm diving into Medicaid—what it is, how it works, and why proposed budget cuts could have devastating consequences for millions of Americans with disabilities.
• If you or a loved one rely on Medicaid, this episode is for you. Stay tuned to learn how you can take action to protect this essential program.

Segment 1: What is Medicaid?

• Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that provides free or low-cost healthcare to low-income individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• It is distinct from Medicare, which serves seniors (65+) and certain disabled individuals regardless of income.
• Medicaid covers hospital visits, doctor appointments, prescription drugs, and long-term care, including Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that help individuals with disabilities live independently.
• Funded jointly by federal and state governments, meaning eligibility and benefits vary by state.

Key Differences Between Medicaid & Medicare:

FeatureMedicareMedicaidWho It CoversSeniors (65+) & some with disabilitiesLow-income individuals, children, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled peopleFundingFederal programJoint federal & state programIncome Limits?NoYes, based on financial needCoverageHospital care, doctor visits, some prescriptionsHospital care, doctor visits, prescriptions, long-term care, and sometimes dental & visionCost to PatientsMay have premiums & co-paysUsually low or no cost, some states have small co-paysLong-Term Care?LimitedYes, covers nursing homes & in-home care

Who Can Have Both?

• Some individuals qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, known as “dual eligibility.” Medicaid can help cover Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Segment 2: Medicaid Under Threat – Proposed Budget Cuts

• The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a budget framework that proposes cutting over $800 billion from Medicaid over the next decade.
• Advocates warn that these cuts could:
• Limit access to essential health services for over 10 million people with disabilities.
• Reduce funding for HCBS, forcing more people into institutional care.
• Deepen the workforce crisis in disability services—69% of providers have already had to decline new clients due to staffing shortages.
• Put nursing home care at risk, affecting millions of seniors.
• Leave states struggling to fill the funding gap, leading to more people losing coverage.

What’s at Stake?

• More than 700,000 people are already on waiting lists for Medicaid waivers that provide home and community-based services.
• Cuts could force families to become full-time caregivers, quit jobs, or lose access to critical health services.
• ACLU and disability rights advocates stress that Medicaid is a lifeline—not just another budget line item.

Segment 3: Why This Matters

• Medicaid is more than just a government program—it’s a promise to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
• If these cuts go through, real people will lose access to care, families will face overwhelming burdens, and communities will suffer.
• Experts warn that Medicaid funding reductions could lead to:
• Over 15.9 million people losing their Medicaid or CHIP coverage by 2026.
• Reduced support for children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• Longer waiting lists and fewer available services for those who rely on HCBS.

Segment 4: What Can We Do?

• Good news: The...