Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Statement from ABLE on the Passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill”
Today’s passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” by Congress is a profound betrayal of low-income communities across this country. At its core, this legislation guts Medicaid by cutting essential health care coverage for millions of families, children, older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and immigrants. These cuts are not only cruel, they are dangerous. They threaten the health and economic stability of the very people legal aid organizations like ABLE serve.
Medicaid is a lifeline. It keeps people healthy, independent, and able to work and care for their families. Slashing this vital program to fund punitive immigration enforcement and mass incarceration of immigrants reveals a deeply unjust set of priorities. It punishes the poor to advance policies rooted in fear.
This bill also authorizes mass deportations, expands indefinite detention, dismantles the asylum system, and strips away due process protections that are fundamental to our democracy. It criminalizes immigrants for simply existing in this country, regardless of how long they have lived here, worked here, or contributed to our communities.
At the same time, the bill also awards generous tax breaks to the wealthy and powerful, those who need the least support, while taking critical resources from those who need them most. It reflects a budget built on inequality: care denied for working families, and rewards for the ultra-rich.
ABLE stands firmly opposed to these attacks on health care, immigrant rights, and constitutional protections. We have seen firsthand the harm caused when our clients are denied access to medical care or forced to live in fear of detention and deportation. This legislation will deepen that harm and devastate the communities we serve throughout western Ohio.
Now more than ever, our clients need us. ABLE will continue to provide free, high-quality legal services to those who need them most. We will keep fighting for justice every step of the way.