MYTHBUSTER: No, People Will Not “Literally Die” with the One Big Beautiful Bill

6/2/2025

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Action Summary

Topic Overview: Response to claims about the One Big Beautiful Bill, emphasizing that it strengthens the social safety net.
Medicaid Enhancements: Reinforces Medicaid for vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, low-income seniors, and families; excludes 1.4 million illegal immigrants to better focus resources.
Healthcare Reforms: Ends taxpayer-funded gender mutilation surgeries for minors; targets elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Work Requirements: Introduces Clinton-era standards—work, volunteering, education, or training—for 4.8 million able-bodied adults on Medicaid, aiming to promote self-sufficiency and quality of life.
Bipartisan Support: Work requirement measures receive backing from President Joe Biden as a commonsense solution.

Risks & Considerations

The implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill could lead to significant changes in Medicaid, which may impact Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and its patient demographics. The removal of illegal immigrants from Medicaid and the introduction of work requirements could reduce the number of patients eligible for Medicaid, potentially affecting VUMC’s patient intake and revenue.
The bill’s focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid could lead to increased scrutiny and audits of healthcare providers, including VUMC. This may require additional administrative resources to ensure compliance with new regulations.
The introduction of work requirements for Medicaid recipients could impact the socio-economic status of the local community, potentially affecting the university’s community engagement and outreach programs.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in Medicaid could affect its students, particularly those who rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage. This could necessitate adjustments in student health services and financial aid strategies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) may need to adapt its services and patient care strategies to align with the new Medicaid requirements and ensure continued access to healthcare for eligible patients.
The Office of Community Engagement could play a crucial role in supporting local communities affected by changes in Medicaid eligibility and work requirements, helping to ensure that vulnerable populations continue to receive necessary support.
Vanderbilt’s Financial Aid Office might need to adjust its strategies to accommodate students who may be impacted by changes in Medicaid coverage, ensuring they have access to necessary healthcare services.
The School of Nursing and School of Medicine may see increased demand for research and expertise in healthcare policy and Medicaid reform, presenting opportunities for collaboration with state and federal agencies.

Financial Impact

The changes in Medicaid eligibility and work requirements could impact VUMC’s revenue, particularly if there is a reduction in the number of patients eligible for Medicaid coverage.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize healthcare policy and reform. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in healthcare policy and Medicaid reform, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies.
The socio-economic impact of the bill on the local community could affect the university’s community engagement and outreach programs, potentially requiring additional resources to support vulnerable populations.

Relevance Score: 4 (The bill presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and services at Vanderbilt University and VUMC.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine should assess the potential impacts of changes to Medicaid on its healthcare programs and services. By understanding how the One Big Beautiful Bill might affect patient demographics and funding, the school can adapt its strategies to continue providing comprehensive care to vulnerable populations.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to advocate for the interests of Vanderbilt’s healthcare and social services programs. By participating in discussions about Medicaid reforms, the university can help shape policies that support its mission and the needs of its community.
Vanderbilt’s Center for Health Policy should conduct research on the effects of work requirements on Medicaid recipients. This research can provide valuable insights into the socioeconomic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill and inform policy recommendations to ensure equitable access to healthcare.
The Department of Political Science should analyze the broader political implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill. By examining how these changes align with national trends and political priorities, the department can contribute to the public discourse on healthcare policy and reform.
Vanderbilt’s Community Outreach Programs should explore partnerships with local organizations to support individuals affected by changes to Medicaid. By providing resources and support for job training and volunteer opportunities, these programs can help community members meet new work requirements and improve their quality of life.

Opportunities

The One Big Beautiful Bill presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing to expand its role in community health initiatives. By focusing on preventive care and support for vulnerable populations, the school can enhance its impact on public health and well-being.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on work and training requirements by developing new educational programs and partnerships with local businesses. This could include job training initiatives and workforce development programs that align with the needs of Medicaid recipients and the broader community.
The bill’s focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Law School to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing legal expertise and recommendations, the school can influence how these measures are implemented and ensure they protect the rights of vulnerable populations.
By engaging with healthcare providers and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on Medicaid reform. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative healthcare thought and practice.

Relevance Score: 4 (The bill presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s healthcare and social services programs due to Medicaid reforms.)

Average Relevance Score: 2.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A: No explicit implementation deadlines or timelines are provided in the directive.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): As the primary overseer of Medicaid, HHS will be directly involved in implementing changes such as enhanced work requirements, eligibility adjustments, and efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Operating under HHS, CMS is responsible for administering Medicaid and will adapt its policies and operational procedures to reflect the changes stipulated in the One Big Beautiful Bill.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are directly impacted by the policy changes.)

Responsible Officials

N/A – The text is a political statement explaining the benefits of the proposed legislation without issuing specific implementation directives to any particular officials.

Relevance Score: 1 (The text does not mandate actions from any specific officials.)