Sister Mary Haddad, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, returns to The Healthy Project as 2025 ends with a major coverage threat ahead.

In July 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with major Medicaid changes that analysts warn will reduce access for millions.
American Medical Association+1 At the same time, enhanced ACA premium tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025, which could raise premiums sharply and leave roughly 4 to 5 million more people uninsured in 2026 without an extension.
KFF+2
Thomson Reuters Tax+2

Sister Mary explains what this means for working families, rural hospitals, emergency departments, and telehealth access. Many Medicare telehealth flexibilities are extended only through January 30, 2026, adding pressure for rural patients and health systems.
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You will hear:

How Medicaid cuts and expiring ACA subsidies collide
Why rural communities face higher risk
What happens to EDs when coverage drops
Why telehealth policy still feels temporary
What Congress must do now
How you can take action beyond awareness

Show Notes
0:00 – Welcome and why this episode matters right now
2:10 – What changed with Medicaid in July 2025
American Medical Association+1
6:30 – The ACA subsidy deadline and what families are seeing in open enrollment
KFF+1
11:20 – The size of the coverage risk for 2026
Thomson Reuters Tax+1
16:10 – Why rural markets and lower incomes create a sharper cliff
20:40 – Hospital strain, closures, and service reductions
25:15 – Emergency departments as the fallback system
29:50 – Telehealth lessons from COVID and what the January 30, 2026 deadline means
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34:10 – Healthcare as dignity and economic justice
38:25 – What Congress can do immediately
41:30 – What you can do as a citizen and advocate
45:00 – Closing and where to learn more

Guest
Sister Mary Haddad, RSM
President & CEO, Catholic Health Association of the United States

Resources

Catholic Health Association: chausa.org

Related Episode
June 2025 – Medicaid at a Crossroads: A Conversation with Sr. Mary Haddad (Part 1)

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