ASH Statement on One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Significant cuts to Medicaid endanger millions of Americans, including those with hematologic disorders
(WASHINGTON — July 3, 2025) – The United States Senate and House of Representatives both voted to pass H.R.1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” effectively ensuring its passage into law.
This bill outlines substantial cuts to Medicaid, which provides health care coverage to one in five Americans with limited income. These reductions – along with other health care policy changes – are projected to leave at least 17 million Americans without coverage, and will likely impede access to health services, particularly in rural areas.
Nearly half of individuals living with sickle cell disease are covered under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and continuous Medicaid coverage is associated with a lower-rate of a late-stage lymphoma diagnosis in children and adolescents/young adults.
In response to this decision, Belinda R. Avalos, MD, president of the American Society of Hematology, issued the following statement:
“It is profoundly disappointing that the Senate and House have voted to adopt the devastating cuts to Medicaid outlined in this bill. These cuts recklessly endanger the health of millions of Americans, including those living with complex, life-threatening blood disorders.
Medicaid plays a critical role in ensuring access to timely diagnoses, lifesaving treatments, and comprehensive care. Reductions in this support will ultimately lead to poorer health outcomes for millions of Americans, in addition to higher long-term costs to the health care system.
While the passage of this bill represents a significant setback, ASH remains fully committed to the fight for hematology and will continue to advocate for the millions of Americans living with blood disorders and their families.”
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (hematology.org) is the world’s largest professional society of hematologists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. Since 1958, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology. Join the #Fight4Hematology by visiting hematology.org/fight4hematology.
The Blood journals (https://ashpublications.org/journals) are the premier source for basic, translational, and clinical hematologic research. The Blood journals publish more peer-reviewed hematology research than any other academic journals worldwide.
Contact:
Claire Whetzel, 202-629-5085
cwhetzel@hematology.org