Health Equity & Access Weekly Roundup: June 9, 2025

Trump’s Budget and Tax Proposals Mark Historic Shift in US Approach to Health Care Policy

The Trump administration is advancing a sweeping health and fiscal policy overhaul through its “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a 1000-plus page proposal that combines $3.75 trillion in tax cuts with deep cuts to safety-net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, while adding an estimated $2.4 trillion to the national deficit over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The bill, which narrowly passed the House and faces mounting scrutiny in the Senate, would leave nearly 11 million more Americans uninsured and reshape HHS by slashing budgets, consolidating divisions, and transferring oversight duties. Although some Republicans argue the bill streamlines aid and promotes fiscal responsibility, critics from both sides of the aisle and even former Trump adviser Elon Musk warn of devastating impacts on health coverage and rising inequality. With a July 4 deadline looming and the 2017 Trump tax cuts set to expire, the proposal’s future remains uncertain amid rising bipartisan tension and concerns over its long-term fiscal and social consequences.

Workers Facing Greater Economic Hardship More Likely to Report Poor Health

A CDC study using 2022-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data found that US workers experiencing high economic hardship—defined as lacking access to basic needs like food, housing, and health care—were significantly more likely to report fair or poor health, with the strongest effects seen among low-wage occupations such as farming, maintenance, and food service. Among 165,060 respondents, 6.9% faced high economic hardship, which was most common among recently unemployed, younger, female, Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black individuals with lower income or education. Across nearly all occupational groups, rates of fair or poor health increased alongside economic hardship, reinforcing the need for targeted policies that address economic insecurity to support worker health and well-being.

Maternal Deaths Rise in US as Research and Policy Lag

Despite being a wealthy nation, the US has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, a crisis driven by underfunded and misdirected pregnancy-related research that often prioritizes fetal development over the health of pregnant individuals, according to a new review. Researchers highlight how restrictive policies, like abortion bans following the overturning of Roe v Wade, and a lack of input from frontline women’s health specialists further exacerbate disparities, especially for Black women. The review criticizes the NIH for allocating less than 9% of its budget to women’s health and an even smaller fraction to pregnancy research, primarily through the underresourced National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. As early-career investigators struggle to launch maternal health programs due to limited federal and institutional support, the authors call for a coordinated, well-funded, and inclusive national strategy—engaging obstetrician-gynecologist physician-scientists and expanding involvement from all federal research agencies—to reverse these trends and improve outcomes for pregnant people and society at large.

Projected Burden Demands Investment and Equity in Type 1 Diabetes Care

A sharp rise is projected in type 1 diabetes (T1D) cases in a new global analysis, estimating 9.5 million people worldwide will be living with the disease by the end of 2025 and 14.7 million by 2040, with the greatest increases expected in low- and middle-income countries. Using data from the International Diabetes Federation Atlas and the T1D Index, the study highlights disparities in diagnosis, care, and life expectancy, especially for children and individuals in poorer regions. By 2025, more than 500,000 new cases are expected annually, nearly half among those younger than 20 years. An estimated 174,000 deaths will occur globally in 2025 due to T1D, with over 27% resulting from undiagnosed disease. The researchers stress that country-specific data, increased epidemiological surveillance, and health system investments are essential to better allocate resources, prevent premature deaths, and address the global burden of this chronic autoimmune condition.

Patients With ILD in Rural Areas Face Barriers to Care

New research shows that health care providers face significant challenges in delivering timely and adequate care for rural patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), including delayed diagnoses and treatment, limited access to diagnostic testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, and home oxygen. Nearly three-quarters of surveyed providers cited poor access to care as a major barrier, with many rural patients forced to travel long distances or navigate fragmented systems to see specialists. While most providers had treated rural patients recently, many also reported limited resources and difficulty coordinating care. Despite these challenges, about 30% of providers identified telehealth as a promising tool to improve access, support virtual visits, and connect patients with support services. The authors call for stronger clinical and research partnerships, as well as policies to promote more equitable ILD care for rural populations.