Dementia Policy Project: Impact of Medicaid Cuts on families coping with dementia

Becky Khayum

16 Apr 2025 — 8 min read

We help people with different types of dementia and their caregivers understand how government decisions affect their care, support, and daily lives using plain language. Our mission is to give families the knowledge and tools they need to stay informed and to take action.

House approves Budget Bill: Takes away billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid

Medicaid cut statistics:

Click here for a summary of how the House budget bill will impact Medicaid and Medicare:

One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Takes away billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid

We help people living with different types of dementia and their caregivers understand how government decisions affect their care, support, and daily lives using plain language. Our mission is to give families the knowledge and tools they need to stay informed and to take action. Before we get started, let’s

Dementia Policy ProjectBecky Khayum

7 million people who are age 65 and older have help from Medicaid.

Medicaid: Home and Community-Based Services

Here is a chart about how the Medicaid program HCBS can help support caregivers who are caring for a family member with dementia:

In some states, HCBS pays family caregivers for the care they provide to their family member on Medicaid.

HCBS can also help to pay for services providing to people living in assisted living communities are nursing homes.

Medicaid: Pays for long-term care in nursing homes

How to contact your representatives about Medicaid Cuts

You can email or call your representative at congress.gov by clicking here:
https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

How to find your representative:
- Type in your address.
- The website will show a list of your Senators and House representatives.
- It will list your representative's phone number and website link.

You can also call: 202-224-3121. You will enter your Zip Code. They will connect you with your representative's office.

Another option: The website below can assist you with calling your representative about Medicaid:

Templates for contacting your Senators:

It is important to contact your Senators if you are concerned about the Medicaid cuts in the budget bill. They will be reviewing and voting on the budget bill later this year.

You can read from these templates when you call your representatives.

You can also copy and paste these templates into an email message for your representatives.

Senator: Template for person living with the diagnosis:

Dear Senator [Representative's Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I have been diagnosed with [ _______ ]. I live in your state. My address is:

Please don't vote to take money away from Medicaid in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act.

Every day is difficult for me.

**Share your story and your daily challenges.

I depend on Medicaid to get the care I need. Medical care, caregiving at home, groceries, and nursing homes are very expensive. I don't have enough in savings to cover these costs myself. I also depend on Medicare to

OR:

I may need help from Medicaid in the future. Medical care, caregiving at home, groceries, and nursing homes are very expensive. I may not have enough in savings to cover these costs myself.

Please don’t vote to take money away from Medicare and Medicaid in the budget bill. Losing it would hurt me and many others like me. Thank you for listening and for helping people with dementia.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Senator: Template for caregivers:

Dear Senator [Representative's Name],

My name is [ ____]. I am a voter in your state. My address is: [ ______].

Please don't vote to cut Medicaid benefits in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

I care for my spouse, who has been diagnosed with [ ________ ]. Every day is a challenge — emotionally, physically, and financially.

**Share your story and your daily challenges.

Please don't vote to take money away from Medicaid. Medicaid is a lifeline for us, helping cover care we could never afford on our own. Medical care, caregiving at home, groceries, and nursing homes are very expensive. Cutting it would make our situation even harder and put my family member with dementia at serious risk.

OR:

Please don't vote to take money away from Medicaid. We may need help from Medicaid in the future. Medical care, caregiving at home, groceries, and nursing homes are very expensive. We may not have enough savings to cover these many costs. Cutting it could make our situation even harder and put my family member with dementia at serious risk.

Please, don’t vote to take money away from Medicare and Medicaid in the budget bill. Families like mine are counting on your support.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Templates for contacting your House Representative:

You may be disappointed that the House voted to pass the budget bill that takes away billions of dollars away from Medicare and Medicaid. Here are templates to contact your House Representative:

House Rep: Template for person living with the diagnosis:

I have been diagnosed with [ _________ ]. I was very disappointed to see the House vote for the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This bill takes away billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid, which people like me depend on every day. I need Medicare to see my doctors and get the care that helps me live as well as I can.
Cuts to these programs make life harder for people who are already struggling.
Please stand up for people like me and protect Medicare and Medicaid.

House Rep: Template for Caregivers:

I am a caregiver for my family member who has been diagnosed with _______. I am deeply disappointed that the House voted to pass the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This bill takes away billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid, which are essential for my family member's care. We rely on these programs for doctor visits, medications, and support services. Cutting these funds puts their health and well-being in serious danger. Please stand up for people with dementia and do not support any more cuts.

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