Former President Barack Obama issued a stark warning on July 3, 2025, urging Americans to contact their representatives and oppose the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a controversial budget reconciliation bill set for a final vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. In a statement shared widely on social media, Obama highlighted that the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and weakening of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could jeopardize healthcare coverage for over 16 million Americans. As the House prepares to vote on the Senate-amended version of the bill, passed narrowly by the Senate on July 1, 2025, with a 51-50 vote, the legislation has ignited fierce debate over its potential to increase costs for working-class families and reshape federal healthcare and welfare programs for generations. Below, we provide a comprehensive overview of the bill, Obama’s concerns, and the broader implications.

Obama’s Call to Action

In his statement, Obama emphasized the severe consequences of the OBBBA, stating:

“More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act. If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working-class families for generations to come. Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.”

Obama’s warning aligns with estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which projects that the bill could result in 11.8 million people losing health insurance by 2034, including 8.6 million due to Medicaid cuts and 5.1 million from the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. The former president’s call to action reflects growing public and political concern, with a KFF poll indicating that 64% of Americans view the bill unfavorably, and 70% worry about its impact on families’ ability to afford healthcare and food.

What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?

The OBBBA, initially passed by the House on May 22, 2025, with a 215-214 vote, is a sweeping legislative package that extends the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, increases funding for defense and immigration enforcement, and introduces significant reforms to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other federal programs. The Senate’s amended version, passed on July 1, 2025, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote, is now under consideration in the House. According to the CBO, the bill will add $3.3 trillion to the federal deficit over ten years while cutting federal spending on Medicaid by $1.1 trillion and SNAP by $295 billion.

Key provisions include:

• Medicaid Reforms:
  • Work Requirements: Starting in 2026, able-bodied adults with incomes above the federal poverty line ($15,650 for an individual in 2025) must report work, education, or volunteering hours to maintain Medicaid eligibility. The CBO estimates this could lead to 8.6 million people losing coverage due to administrative barriers, similar to outcomes observed in state-level experiments like Georgia’s Pathways program.
  • Provider Tax Caps: The bill reduces the state provider tax cap from 6% to 3.5% by 2032, limiting states’ ability to draw federal Medicaid matching funds. This is projected to cut $375 billion from Medicaid, threatening rural hospitals and urban safety-net providers.
  • Enrollment Restrictions: The bill delays Biden-era rules simplifying Medicaid enrollment, potentially reducing enrollment by 7.6 million people. It also halts automatic enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), increasing out-of-pocket costs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries by an estimated $2,220 annually per person.
  • Coverage Limits: The legislation prohibits Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care and restricts coverage for certain non-citizens, further reducing access for vulnerable groups.
• SNAP Changes:
  • The bill introduces work requirements for able-bodied adults aged 18-64, with limited exemptions for parents of young children, potentially affecting 11 million beneficiaries.
  • States with SNAP error rates above 6% must cover 5-15% of benefits starting in 2028, which could strain state budgets and lead to reduced food assistance.
  • The CBO estimates that 5 million people could lose SNAP benefits entirely, with millions more facing reduced benefits due to increased paperwork.
• Rural Health Fund: The Senate increased the proposed rural health fund from $25 billion to $50 billion over five years to support rural hospitals facing financial strain from Medicaid cuts. However, experts argue this is insufficient to offset the broader funding reductions, with over 300 rural hospitals at risk of closure in states like Kentucky, Louisiana, and Missouri.
• Other Provisions:
  • Extends the 2017 tax cuts, costing $4 trillion over ten years.
  • Allocates $175 billion for immigration enforcement, including border wall construction, and $150 billion for military spending.
  • Provides $10 billion for NASA’s Mars mission priorities and $5 billion for veterans’ healthcare programs.

Impact on Healthcare and Working-Class Families

The Medicaid cuts proposed in the OBBBA are among the most contentious aspects of the bill. The CBO projects that 10.3 million fewer people will be enrolled in Medicaid by 2034, including 1.3 million dual-eligible Medicare beneficiaries who rely on Medicaid to cover Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. For example:

• A family of four earning $33,000 annually could face up to $1,650 in new out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
• A low-income Medicare couple could see annual costs rise by $8,340 due to the loss of MSP support.

Rural communities, where 40% of children rely on Medicaid, are particularly vulnerable. The proposed $50 billion rural health fund aims to mitigate hospital closures, but critics, including the National Rural Health Association, argue it falls short, with potential budget reductions of over 20% for many rural providers. Urban safety-net hospitals, serving high Medicaid populations, also face significant financial challenges.

The weakening of the ACA, through the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, is expected to increase premiums by an average of $1,080 annually for marketplace enrollees. Combined with Medicaid cuts, these changes could leave millions uninsured, disproportionately affecting low-income families, people with disabilities, and communities of color.

SNAP Reforms and Food Insecurity

The OBBBA’s SNAP reforms have raised alarms about increased food insecurity. The introduction of work requirements for able-bodied adults, even those with limited exemptions, could lead to significant coverage losses. Public health advocates note that 72% of able-bodied SNAP recipients without dependents have no earned income, often due to barriers like disability, caregiving, or lack of access to jobs. The shift of costs to states with high error rates could further strain food assistance programs, potentially reducing benefits for 11 million people and exacerbating hunger in low-income communities.

Political and Public Reactions

The OBBBA has polarized Congress and the public. Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, have condemned the bill as harmful to working-class families. Crockett, in a post on X, called the bill “bullshit,” arguing it prioritizes tax cuts for the wealthy over the needs of vulnerable Americans. Sen. Chris Van Hollen echoed these concerns, warning of the bill’s impact on healthcare access and food security.

Some Republicans, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, defend the bill as a necessary fiscal adjustment, citing the $50 billion rural health fund and tax cut extensions as critical for economic growth and rural healthcare. However, moderate Republicans, such as Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), have expressed reservations, with Collins voting against the Senate bill due to its impact on low-income families and rural hospitals.

Public sentiment, as reflected in recent polls, leans heavily against the bill. A KFF survey found that only 21% of adults support the Medicaid and SNAP reforms after learning about their potential impacts, with 64% viewing the bill unfavorably. Posts on X from healthcare advocates and grassroots organizations have amplified calls to oppose the bill, urging constituents to contact their representatives.

Obama’s Legacy and the ACA

Obama’s statement underscores his deep connection to the ACA, often referred to as Obamacare, which he signed into law in 2010. The ACA expanded Medicaid to cover millions of low-income Americans and established marketplace subsidies to make insurance more affordable. The OBBBA’s proposed cuts threaten to unravel these gains, prompting Obama to re-enter the public debate to defend his signature legislative achievement. His call to action has resonated with advocacy groups like Protect Our Care, which have mobilized campaigns to urge House members to vote against the bill.

What’s Next?

The House is expected to vote on the Senate-amended OBBBA in the coming days, with the outcome hinging on a handful of moderate Republicans and the unity of the Democratic caucus. If passed, the bill will proceed to President Trump’s desk for signing, given his vocal support for the legislation as a cornerstone of his second-term agenda. If rejected, lawmakers may need to negotiate a new package or face a potential government shutdown, as the bill is tied to broader budget reconciliation efforts.

For Americans concerned about the bill’s impact, Obama’s call to action provides a clear directive: contact your House representative and urge them to vote no. Advocacy groups have provided resources, including phone numbers and sample scripts, to facilitate outreach. The outcome of this vote will have far-reaching consequences for healthcare access, food security, and the economic well-being of millions of working-class families.

How to Take Action

To contact your House representative:

• Visit www.house.gov to find your representative’s contact information.
• Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative’s office.
• Share your concerns about the OBBBA’s impact on Medicaid, SNAP, and working-class families, and urge a “no” vote.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to NRI Globe or follow us on X for real-time news and analysis.