Disabled children's caregivers see hope in Democratic midterm wins
The 19th reports that family caregivers of disabled children, including Florida's Yasmin Halim and Idaho's Stephanie Walters, responded with relief to Democratic wins in this year's midterms, including congressional majorities. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said rolling back healthcare cuts would be a top priority. The story cites the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts set to fully take effect in 2027, and new Medicaid work requirements starting January 1 that apply to parents caring for disabled children over age 13, with a "medically frail" exemption whose definition remains unsettled after a federal judge struck down CMS's proposed definition. Idaho's home care program saw $22 million in cuts despite earlier fears of full dissolution, and Walters describes continued struggles with her daughter's annual Medicaid disability redetermination.