Senator Patty Murray is sounding the alarm on what she says will be one of the most devastating health care shake-ups in recent history. At a press conference held alongside health care professionals at the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview, the senior senator from Washington warned that newly signed legislation—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—could leave millions across the country struggling to access affordable care.
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the bill includes major policy overhauls. But perhaps the most controversial components are historic cuts to Medicaid, the federal health program that covers low-income Americans, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
📉 What Is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?
Passed through budget reconciliation and backed by the current Republican-led Congress, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act combines deep tax cuts and increased spending for defense and border security. To pay for these spending increases, the bill slashes funding to key social safety nets, primarily Medicaid and **SNAP (food stamps).**
While federal leaders claim the bill promotes economic and national security, critics argue it does so at the cost of basic health care and nutrition access for vulnerable Americans.
🚨 How Will This Bill Affect Health Care in Washington State?
According to Senator Murray, the bill poses a direct threat to health care access for nearly 2 million Washington residents who depend on Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program.
Key Impacts:
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26% reduction in Medicaid enrollment in Washington projected
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Medicaid cuts considered the largest in U.S. history
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Children in 26 of 39 Washington counties will be among those most impacted
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One in five people in Washington currently relies on Medicaid coverage
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Medicaid-funded hospitals and community clinics may face severe budget shortfalls
Senator Murray emphasized that these cuts could overwhelm local hospitals, increase uncompensated care burdens, and lead to delayed or denied access to vital treatment, especially in rural and underserved regions like Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
💬 Murray: “Healthcare Will Cost More and Be Harder to Access”
Murray didn’t mince words during her press conference.
“This bill makes health care harder to reach and way more expensive—no matter who your insurer is or where you get care,” she said.
She stressed that while private insurance companies may not be directly affected, the ripple effect of reduced Medicaid funding will drive up health care costs overall, as hospitals absorb losses through higher prices charged to private plans and patients.
🤝 Impact on Children, Families, and Rural Communities
The bill’s deep Medicaid cuts are expected to impact children most severely. In many Washington counties, Medicaid covers the majority of children, providing essential services such as doctor visits, vaccines, dental care, and mental health support.
Medicaid also serves:
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People with disabilities
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Pregnant women
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Seniors requiring home-based or nursing care
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Low-income working families without employer-sponsored insurance
Without alternatives in place, families may be forced to skip necessary care, leading to preventable health crises, more ER visits, and long-term consequences.
📊 What the Numbers Say
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) estimates show:
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A projected 26% drop in Medicaid enrollment in Washington if federal cuts take effect
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About 2 million Washingtonians—or 20% of the state’s population—currently rely on Medicaid (Apple Health)
Governor Bob Ferguson has also echoed concerns about the bill’s impact, calling it “a historic mistake that could devastate our communities.”
🏥 Hospitals Speak Out: “We’re Bracing for Crisis”
Medical leaders from hospitals like Harborview Medical Center warned that if funding disappears, they may be forced to scale back services, lay off staff, or turn away patients. Many hospitals rely on Medicaid reimbursements to cover the cost of care for uninsured and low-income patients.
If unraveling Medicaid causes hospital budgets to slide, rural and community hospitals, already stretched thin, will be the first to feel the pinch.
🛡️ What Comes Next?
With the law now signed, states are scrambling to understand and prepare for the fallout. Some states may explore state-based solutions to maintain coverage, such as emergency subsidies, Medicaid waivers, or state-level expansions.
Senator Murray called on Washingtonians and health advocacy groups to mobilize public pressure urging federal lawmakers to reverse course or pass amendments to protect Medicaid recipients.
Senator Patty Murray is calling the One Big Beautiful Bill Act a direct attack on public health access—and the data supports her concern. With millions of Americans, especially Washington residents, at risk of losing coverage, the next few months will be critical in shaping the state’s healthcare future.
As policymakers debate how to move forward, one thing remains clear: The cost of this bill may not be counted in dollars alone—but in lives, delayed care, and a health care safety net stretched to the breaking point.