Getting access to Medicaid for cancer treatment was already a long, uphill battle for Pueblo resident Jamie Vigil. Now, she fears she’ll lose the care that’s helping her survive.
Vigil, who is currently receiving Keytruda — an immunotherapy drug used to treat skin cancer — every three weeks at a Denver-area cancer center, depends on Medicaid for coverage. But with the passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” she’s worried her treatment could come to a halt.
“I just had a procedure a couple of days ago,” Vigil said. “Those procedures will probably end up stopping. I won’t be able to pay out of pocket… the cost of treatment and procedures will just be outrageous.”
The new law could slash up to $1 trillion from Medicaid by 2034, potentially causing 7.6 million Americans to lose health coverage, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
How many in Pueblo rely on Medicaid?
In Pueblo County, over 62,000 residents — roughly 36.5% of the population — were covered by Medicaid as of March 2025, based on data from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
Colorado offers Medicaid coverage to individuals earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $21,597/year for individuals or $44,367 for a family of four). Children and pregnant individuals qualify at higher income thresholds.
Beyond Medicaid: What the bill changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act goes far beyond Medicaid. It also:
-
Cuts $267 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
-
Boosts immigration enforcement funding by $150 billion
-
Increases defense spending by $153 billion
All but two House Republicans supported the bill when it passed on May 22. Rep. Jeff Hurd, who represents Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, was among those voting yes. The Senate approved the bill on July 1, with all 50 Republican senators voting in favor and Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.
‘We actually do need it’
Trump Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the Medicaid cuts, saying they would protect the program for those who truly need it by eliminating “waste, fraud and abuse.”
Vigil isn’t convinced.
“How would they really go about determining that?” she asked.
Her battle for coverage started in 2013, when a treatment finally became available — but only to those with Medicaid. Getting approved took years, a lawyer, and court hearings, despite her doctors backing the application.
“I finally got it, and now I feel like I’m being knocked back down again.”
Vigil volunteers with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, advocating for cancer patients facing barriers to care.
“We’re actual people,” she said. “There’s no abuse here. We actually do need it.”
Leave a Reply