Former President Barack Obama is warning that more than 16 million Americans could lose their health care if the Big Beautiful Bill passes the House this week. He argues that the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid funding and weakening of the Affordable Care Act would increase costs for working-class families and leave millions without coverage. Obama called on Americans to contact their representatives, saying this bill risks undoing progress made over the last decade to expand health care access.

Supporters of the bill argue that the Affordable Care Act has failed to deliver the affordable premiums and expanded access it promised. They point out that premiums remain high for many families, and some critics say the ACA is simply an inefficient wealth transfer that has not improved care quality. Republican backers of the bill maintain that reducing federal health care spending is necessary to address the national debt and that states should have greater flexibility in managing Medicaid programs without federal mandates.

Meanwhile, defenders of the ACA warn that provisions in the Big Beautiful Bill would push millions off insurance rolls and strain hospitals already stretched thin. They argue that cutting Medicaid will lead to higher uncompensated care costs for local health systems and leave vulnerable Americans without any realistic coverage options. With a House vote expected soon, the debate continues over whether this bill is a long-overdue correction of failing health care policy or a dangerous rollback of essential protections for millions.