For Aiyana Baldasty, a 25-year-old woman with a disability, the approval of President Donald Trump's tax plan, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), could seriously threaten her daily life due to possible cuts to Medicaid, on which she directly depends.

In statements collected by Newsweek, Aiyana explained that changes in health policies make her feel vulnerable. For her, having constant and stable care is not a luxury, but a vital necessity.

A complex health picture

According to the interview given to Newsweek, Baldasty has received multiple medical diagnoses that affect both her nervous system and her mobility and daily energy. She suffers from neurological disorders, chronic pain problems, and conditions that weaken her immune system, making her prone to frequent infections. This combination significantly limits her ability to function independently.

To manage her symptoms, she depends on a strict regimen of medications, from antidepressants to treatments for migraines and heart problems. She also turns to supplements, medical marijuana, and frequently, antibiotics. She herself acknowledges that without that medical coverage it would be practically impossible to sustain her care.

The life she has built in Vermont

Aiyana lives with her partner, whom she met at university during a chemistry class. Since then, they have formed a stable relationship that led them to move in together and share his family home. They both graduated: she with a degree in physics and a minor in philosophy; he with a degree in electromechanical engineering and another technical training in mechanics.

Beyond their medical problems, they describe themselves as two young people passionate about science, music, art, and philosophy. They are also accompanied at home by Star, an elderly cat who is an important part of their life. This entire environment gives her a sense of belonging, but she recognizes that it is not enough to guarantee the security she needs in the long term.

Why Canada Appears as an Alternative

For Baldasty, moving to Canada is not a whim but the possibility of accessing a system with more solid support for people with disabilities. She says that there she perceives a model that offers greater stability and better-integrated social services. This, she assures, would allow her to have a life with less uncertainty, both for her and her partner.

Although she insists that leaving the United States is not her first option, the combination of medical diagnoses, essential medications, and the fragility of Medicaid convince her that she cannot run the risk of being left without care.

The Impact of the OBBB on Her Decision

The definitive step in beginning to plan her move was the proposal of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), President Donald Trump's main domestic initiative. This bill cuts more than $1 trillion to Medicaid and related social programs and imposes work requirements that many people with disabilities would be unable to meet.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the law could leave 11.8 million Americans uninsured by 2034 and weaken community-based disability services. Baldasty sums it up best: “Under these policies, people like me are left more vulnerable, forced to live in constant fear of losing the support that keeps us alive.”