What the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Means for Lancaster-Area Healthcare Access

Barbara Dabolt | Aug 18 2025 16:00

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) is reshaping healthcare at the federal level—and the effects could ripple through communities like ours in Lancaster, York, Berks, and Lebanon Counties. Understanding these changes helps ensure you and your family stay informed and prepared.

 

 

 

What’s in the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ for Healthcare

  • Deep Medicaid Cuts and Work Requirements
    The bill cuts approximately $793 billion from Medicaid, significantly reducing access—particularly for working-age adults and low-income families. It also introduces an 80-hour-per-month work or volunteer requirement for Medicaid recipients between 19 and 64 AP News King & Spalding Wikipedia .
  • Millions Expected to Lose Health Coverage
    By 2034, CBO estimates the bill could leave at least 10.9 million people uninsured, including around 8 million individuals losing Medicaid coverage AP News Congress.gov Wikipedia .
  • Cuts to Marketplace and ACA Support
    The law’s changes to Affordable Care Act marketplaces—combined with the end of subsidy enhancements—could result in even more uninsured individuals healthinsurance.org American Hospital Association .
  • Impact on Rural Hospitals
    Funding reductions could be especially damaging to rural healthcare systems that serve our region. Reduced provider taxes and shrinking Medicaid payments may strain facilities across Central Pennsylvania AP News Wikipedia King & Spalding .

 

 

How This May Affect You Locally

  • More area residents could face stricter eligibility rules for Medicaid, even if they’ve qualified in the past.

  • Reduced federal support may limit plan options through Pennie and push up health insurance costs.

  • Rural clinics or providers may become fewer, harder to reach, or harder to rely on in emergencies.

 

 

Key Effects Summary

  • Devastating Medicaid cuts and tighter eligibility
  • Mandatory work or volunteer requirement for many
  • Projected rise in uninsured individuals nationwide
  • Strain on smaller and rural healthcare providers

 

 

Take Control of Your Coverage—Before It Changes

If you're concerned about changes to Medicaid, health insurance through Pennie, or access to providers in Lancaster County, let's look at your options now. Whether you need help with enrollment or want to explore alternatives, I’ll guide you through with clarity and care. Reach out today to talk through how you might be affected—and what you can do about it.