‘This isn’t fair’: Lincoln mom on Medicaid says family would be hurt by ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Some families in Nebraska say the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will have devastating consequences.

Lincoln mother Isabelle Nielsen, who relies on Medicaid, said she’s terrified and disappointed over cuts to the program in the massive spending bill.

“I want to scream from the top of my lungs that this isn’t fair,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Experts and advocates paint dire picture of effects of possible Medicaid cuts on Nebraska

Nielsen is disabled and has a 3-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. She said for her, Medicaid isn’t just a government program; it’s a lifeline.

Nielsen, her daughter and her son are all on Medicaid.

“We all have such big medical struggles, that it is something that we need because there is just no way we can afford it,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Protesters rally against ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ outside Ricketts’ offices across Nebraska

Her daughter’s condition requires specialists, frequent doctor visits and weekly — sometimes daily — therapies.

Nielsen said she has 25 to 30 medical appointments a month, sometimes more.

Medicaid covers all those appointments, but she said she can’t meet the new work requirements because she has to take care of her daughter.

“I am a stay-at-home mom, and I’m also disabled,” Nielsen said. “We don’t have an extra 20, 30, 40 bucks laying around to do copays for multiple appointments every single week. It would be impossible to afford for the average family.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska hospitals say Senate bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts put key services at risk

Channel 8 shared Nielsen’s message with Rep. Mike Flood, who supported the original House version of the bill.

“I would tell her to really understand what’s in the bill,” he said. “This bill will not impact vulnerable adults or children. When you look at Nebraska’s track record, when you look at the Legislature’s track record, I don’t think there’s a case that could be made that says we don’t care about those who can’t care for themselves.”

Flood said he plans to watch closely to see what changes the Senate has made.

SEE ALSO: Rep. Mike Flood defends ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ at Seward town hall

Nielsen said she’s already looking into how much it would cost her to support her children and herself without Medicaid.

For just her daughter, she said she’s looking at $20,000 per year.

But Nielsen said she won’t rest until her child’s future is secure.

“Our votes are being ignored, and that’s terrifying as a mom to be like, ‘Well, I will go without my own health needs even if that causes me pain every day.'”

SEE ALSO: ‘Medicaid saved my life’: Lincoln woman camps out at Bacon’s office to protest proposed cuts