As A Female Chronic Illness Warrior…I am Scared For My Future

I don't think politics has affected me this much ever. But this administration really knows how to test my patience and my mental health. I don’t want to watch the news or go on social media because I know how triggered I will get. But, I also want to be informed because all of this affects me in one way or another. As a female chronic illness warrior battling lupus, sjogren's disease and non-hodgkin's lymphoma, I not only worry for myself, but also for my family, friends and strangers around the country.

Elections have consequences and we are now in the midst of the most tumultuous time in history. Many people don't seem to understand how much politics affect healthcare and how their vote can have an impact on all of us many years down the line. They have their rose colored glasses on and can't see the reality of what's actually happening. I literally feel like I'm in the twilight zone. 

They are proposing to cut cancer research by $2.7 billion or 37.2% compared to last year. I don't know a world where we want to stop the advancement of scientific research. As a cancer patient myself, I am baffled. Many cancer patients and myself are waiting for the next scientific breakthrough or clinical trial we can join in hope for a cure or to be in remission. Cancer affects us all. This massive cut has life threatening consequences and will significantly delay or stop some research altogether. The result of this will also affect future scientist and doctors who rely on funding. Many will have to pivot and change course and may ultimately end up leaving the country and go elsewhere. 

The US state department has issued a temporary pause in the scheduling of new student and exchange visitor appointments (including J1visas) at US embassies and consulates worldwide as it develops expanded social media screening and vetting. This will lead to a significant disruption in our healthcare system. In March 37,677 students matched into residency and out of those 6,653 are foreign born. Many international students who have matched into residency here in the United States are in limbo because of this. Residency usually start on July 1 and without this they will not be able to start. There is already a shortage of doctors here. Without these doctors here many hospitals will be even more understaffed. Many of us with chronic conditions wait months just to be seen for the first time. Without these residents here, there will be longer waits not just for getting appointments, but there will be higher wait times in the ER/ waiting rooms. Every second counts in critical situations and because of this many will face dire and irreversible consequences. As it stands it takes lupus warriors an average of 6 years to finally get a diagnosis. This will definitely increase with the way things are going.   

With the overturn of roe vs wade, it is now up to the states. But the Biden administration had reminded hospitals that it was their obligation to provide abortions when it was medically necessary even in states where abortion is restricted or banned. But the new administration has revoked this policy. This is not about pro life but pro control. Many pregnant women who are high risk will die if doctors don't help. If I got pregnant, my pregnancy would be deemed as high risk. I am lucky to be living in New York City where abortion is accepted and I would be able to choose how to move forward. So if needed I would be able to get the care I need. But for those in states where abortion is restricted or banned my heart aches for them.   

Adriana Smith, a Georgia state resident is brain dead but because of Georgia’s 6 week abortion ban the hospital has been keeping her alive on a ventilator and the family has no say. Because she is brain dead her life is not at risk and her body is just being used as vessel to keep the baby alive. The staggering cost to keep her alive is now an added burden to her family. The family now also worries what complications will come from this for the child that they will have to ultimately raise.  

The big beautiful budget bill has passed the house (even though some representatives regret their vote because they did not read the bill entirely) and now it is up to the senate to reject this bill. To enact these tax reliefs, there would be significant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, two programs that is vital to the low income and chronic illness community. It is estimated that 10.9 million people would lose their health insurance by 2034. But, the bill has boosted spending on border security and immigration enforcement. So, dismantling families is more important than the health and well being of our citizens. People need their medications. People need to see their doctors. People need to eat. Cuts to these programs will have a calamitous ripple effect.  

I don’t know how any of this is supposed to make America great again. But it has left me with major anxiety and heartache. These are just a few of the things that this administration has "accomplished". This is a scary time to be a female chronic illness warrior and I wonder what historians will be writing 50 years from now.