After introducing the possibility of a tax credit for caregivers to have financial relief in 2024, the Trump administration has since been brought under scrutiny by caregivers and those who are considered low income after threats arose to take away Medicaid and Medicare benefits.
According to the American Medical Association, cuts to Medicaid benefits were introduced in July 2025 as part of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill as a means to lower spending, as the insurance program is funded federally and at the state level. Outside of traditional insurance funding, Medicaid also helps to fund caregiving training programs and social work help as a means to support comfortable living at home.
Tyanna Myers, caregiver for three deaf children, has made it a point to provide care with intentionality. Outside of typical motherhood duties, she also has to make sure she’s affirming each child’s identity and providing them with her undivided attention. Her typical caregiving routine shifted to a deeper strategy when things began to change under the Trump administration.
Similar to many other caregivers, they are not only learning the best ways to provide care as they go, but they’re actively seeking to ensure that the person they’re caring for is not overlooked or disregarded in decision-making processes.
“With so many shifts in disability-related funding, education oversight, and conversations around Medicaid, I had to stay proactive. I couldn’t just focus on day-to-day parents. I had to follow policy closely to make sure nothing threatened [my child’s] access to therapies, services or support systems,” Myers told EBONY.
She continued on to explain that she had had to further her advocacy beyond her home to the systems that were impacting her children. The access she initially had to support services and therapy were on the line. The care that is needed goes beyond just medical support. It is also emotional support, not just for the one being cared for but also the caregiver.
“For me, raising a Black Deaf daughter means fighting for her access and her representation. I’m making sure she’s supported in her communication, but also that she sees herself reflected in books, classrooms, and community spaces. One challenge that’s rarely talked about is hair care.
Cochlear implants weren’t designed with Black textures or protective styles in mind. We have to think through every style: Will it secure her device? Will it cause discomfort? That’s what led me to create a functional braid pattern, a style that protects her coils and keeps her processor secure. That kind of innovation is something Black caregivers are constantly doing because accessibility solutions rarely consider our cultural needs,” she said.
Caregivers of color in particular face the unique disadvantage of having to advocate for those they’re caring for, and fighting in a system that in many cases does not always acknowledge African American voices or the concerns that they may raise. Andrea Saunders, the mom behind Ayo Castro Kids, expressed that her journey as a caregiver has been rewarding and still faces similar issues to other mothers such as lack of adequate sleep and worrisome tendencies. Her unique journey has brought her to caring for each of her children’s needs that have autism.
“I can’t speak for other cultures, but my biggest challenges have been at the hospitals,” she said. “I don’t think the doctors or nurses take the time to hear my concerns for my individual children when they are in pain or have issues and nine times out of ten, I am right. They don’t have patience for questions I ask to ensure I am clear moving forward. Nurses are often rude and ill-equipped to handle behaviors of autistic children and say rude things out loud.”
At this time, there has been no official tax credit law put into effect regarding caregiver support nor contingency plan for caregivers who may be deeply affected by the Medicaid cuts. However, many are hopeful that the Credit for Caring Act will be passed. This was a federal tax credit that was initially mentioned by President Trump during the 2024 presidential election season.
The bill would allow caregivers to be provided financial relief for out-of-pocket costs, while paying for necessary appointments and care for those they’re looking after. At this time, the bill is still under review by committees after being introduced in both the Senate and the House.