Michael Steele stated, “Donald Trump is the Golden Calf; he is the thing that they come and bow before. And that they offer up their future political support.” After reading the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ nothing could be truer. The President said there would be no cuts to Medicaid. However, the House Republicans passed plans to cut roughly $716 billion from Medicaid, and program cuts will hit close to home for many residents, even as some welcome the prospect of tighter rules and less government spending. Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates more than 10 million people will likely lose Medicaid and CHIP insurance under the House Republican plan.

Most Americans have a connection to Medicaid. In 2024, Medicaid surged to 78 million recipients. In rural areas, where the share of people with disabilities is higher, residents have lower incomes, and communities are reliant on industries with skimpier health benefits. Overall, about two-thirds (65%) of the public say that someone close to them has received help from Medicaid at some point, including over half (53%) who say either the program has covered them themselves or a member of their family and an additional 13% who say a close friend has been covered. Substantial shares of Democrats (52%), independents (57%), and Republicans (44%) report that Medicaid has covered them or a family member. Nearly all adults (97%) say Medicaid is at least somewhat important for people in their local community, including about three in four (73%) who say it is “very important.”

Ignoring storm clouds on the horizon, voters support lawmakers who cut Medicaid. However, voters neglected a couple of details.

By 2035, projections indicate that approximately 12.7 million people aged 65 and older in the U.S. will have Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. This represents a significant increase from the estimated 5.2 million older Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s. While this is a projection for Alzheimer’s specifically, it’s important to remember that Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.

Researchers estimated a lifetime risk of dementia of 42% after age 55, more than double previous estimates. The dementia risk was 4% by age 75 and 20% by age 85, with the majority of the risk occurring after the age of 85. Certain groups had greater risks than others. For example, women had a higher lifetime risk due to survival to older ages, 48% versus 35% in men. In essence, the very people supporting the current policy strategy now will be directly impacted by the decisions they make today (candidates and policies).

And therein lay the question: Who is going to care for an aging dementia (including Alzhimer’s) in 2035?

Comprehensive research has been conducted to estimate the economic burden of dementia care in the United States. As of 2025, the total annual cost of caring for individuals with dementia is projected to reach approximately $781 billion. This figure encompasses both direct and indirect costs associated with dementia care.

Breakdown of Dementia Care Costs in the U.S. (2025)

  • Direct Medical and Long-Term Care Costs: Approximately $232 billion, which includes expenses covered by Medicare ($106 billion), Medicaid ($58 billion), and out-of-pocket payments by patients and families ($52 billion).
  • Informal (Unpaid) Caregiving: Valued at $233 billion, this accounts for the 6.8 billion hours of unpaid care provided by family members and friends.
  • Loss of Quality of Life: Estimated at $302 billion for individuals with dementia and an additional $6 billion for their caregivers, reflecting the emotional and psychological toll of the disease.
  • Lost Earnings: Caregivers often reduce work hours or leave employment to provide care, resulting in an estimated $8 billion in lost annual earnings.

These estimates are part of the U.S. Cost of Dementia Project, led by researchers at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics. The project aims to provide comprehensive, national, and annual estimates of the cost of dementia to inform policy decisions and support for individuals and families affected by the condition.

Looking ahead, the financial impact of dementia is expected to escalate significantly. Projections indicate that, if current prevalence rates persist, the aggregate annual care cost could rise to between $379 billion and $511 billion by 2040 and potentially reach $1.5 trillion by 2050 (in 2010 dollars). These findings underscore the substantial and growing economic burden of dementia care in the U.S., highlighting the need for effective policy interventions and support systems for patients and caregivers.

Moral of the Story

Without proper planning, what you cut today will kill you later on.

The Big Beautiful Bill is not what God wants. From a spiritual perspective, Medicaid can be viewed through the lens of compassion, wisdom, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Christians, Buddhists, and Atheists alike are encouraged to practice loving-kindness and compassion. A healthcare system that provides care for those in need, regardless of their ability to pay, aligns with these values. Medicaid can be seen as a tool to alleviate suffering caused by illness and lack of access to healthcare.

The biblical golden calf story is important because it serves as a powerful cautionary tale about idolatry and the dangers of worshipping false gods. It highlights the importance of faith and trust in God, demonstrating the consequences of straying from the true path. As written, the Big Beautiful Bill demonstrates neither compassion nor wisdom. In 2035, should one come and ask, “Please, sir. Help me. My father is ill with dementia.” I will reply, “Sorry. Your Golden Calf pooped this mess. Own it.”