Over 10 Million Americans Could Lose Health Insurance. Most People Don't Know It Yet.

Healthcare is a human right. But it’s fair to say that the healthcare system in the United States leaves too many people by the wayside. People in other countries are both appalled and befuddled by the fact that so many Americans end up turning to crowdfunding sites or going bankrupt when faced with a serious illness or medical emergency. And since January 2025, the current administration’s increasingly user-unfriendly policies have made it even harder to get quality, affordable, accessible healthcare, especially if you happen to be LGBTQ+, HIV+, a woman, trans, a person of color, undocumented, un/underinsured, on public assistance…you get the picture?

Then last July 4, Congress passed H.R.1, which was sold to the American people as “One Big Beautiful Bill.” What few realize is that when the bill goes into effect – AFTER the midterms this fall – the bill will cause 10.9 million Americans to lose health insurance coverage, mainly due to over $1 trillion in cuts to programs such as Medicaid. 

Activist Cleve Jones saw this coming catastrophe and decided to sound the alarm. He started pulling together a national coalition of community groups, nonprofits, labor unions, interfaith leaders, nursing and medical unions, and many more on an initiative called SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE: HEALTH IS PRIMARY. This is a weeklong call to action to focus attention on the fact that these funding cuts, as well as policy and regulatory changes, will devastate families, local communities, and economies across the country. 

From June 1 to June 7 local groups and advocates will demand accountability from our elected officials at the local, state, and federal level on the issue of health care. These actions will include town halls, panel discussions, forums, demonstrations, performances, marches, rallies, vigils, interfaith services, and other tactics as appropriate for their organizations and communities. 

Here in San Francisco, along with communities across the country, candlelight vigils are planned on the evening of Friday, June 5 to honor those we have lost, and those we stand to lose if our country does not change course and start prioritizing the health of its people. Momentum is building: over 120 events are planned in more than 60 cities in 27 states. 

Why is this initiative taking place during the first seven days in June? Because that is when the largest number of primary elections will take place across the country - and our current and aspiring legislators need to hear our voices on this issue. 

June 5 is also a date that bears special significance, as 45 years ago on June 5 the Centers for Disease Control published in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report an article about a strange new disease that was affecting young gay men in Los Angeles. That was the first public report of the disease that would come to be known as AIDS, and June 5 has been commemorated ever since as the anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. It is also commemorated as HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day. Since that first CDC report 45 years ago, over 45 million people worldwide have died of AIDS. 

The candlelight vigil in San Francisco on June 5 will take place at Harvey Milk Plaza on Castro Street, from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. It is being organized by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and other HIV, LGBTQ+, and health-related nonprofits. The event will be part call to action, part remembrance – a program that honors both our history and this moment. 

Can’t attend the vigil? You can still help by spreading the word, and also by calling your elected officials and asking them how they plan to protect and support the health of their constituents.

Healthcare is a nonpartisan issue that touches every single one of us. This vigil, and this week of action, won't be a solution, but, as with every action we take, it's a step - and a way to support each other. Cleve Jones said, “We are facing more than $1 trillion in health cuts that are putting millions more people at risk, not only in our country but around the world. Health is primary. Health cuts kill. We cannot wait for another crisis that will put millions more people at risk.”

For more info go to: SevenDaysInJune.org

Cleve Jones gave an inspiring interview about Seven Days in June with historian Heather Cox Richardson: