Today is Juneteenth, the 4th consecutive year June 19 has been celebrated as a federal holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. In the CSRA, festivals are planned for those who may be off work, and there are closings that may impact those who aren’t.
The vast majority of area banks will be closed today. Also, the United States Post Office will not be delivering mail, but UPS and FedEx will be delivering today. For most other companies, it will be business as usual.
Greater Augusta Black Chamber Founder and President, Ronic West, chose the occasion to deliver a message to members and community supporters regarding the importance of what lies ahead for black enterprise.
A Critical Moment for Healthcare & Wealth
While we celebrate Juneteenth, an urgent policy battle is unfolding in Washington that could directly impact our families and businesses.
The Senate is currently negotiating the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1)—a sweeping reconciliation measure that would extend tax cuts while imposing over $1 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid cuts through stricter work requirements and federal matching caps
According to the Congressional Budget Office:
- Over 5 million people could lose Medicaid coverage
- More than 1 million jobs could be lost across sectors tied to care
- The economy could shrink by $113 billion in a single year
Connecting Dots: Why It Matters for Us
What impacts our homes, impacts our businesses.
This legislation isn’t theoretical — it is a real, immediate threat to our economic stability.
- Healthcare is the leading industry for Black-owned businesses, encompassing sectors like home healthcare, personal care homes, caregiving services, and non-emergency transport.
- Many members operate as sole proprietors or 1099 contractors, meaning that healthcare benefits often run through Medicaid, Medicare, or ACA marketplace plans — not employers.
- Cuts could lead to:
- Reduced reimbursements and tighter staffing for healthcare-based businesses
- Limited access to mental health, childcare, and eldercare subsidies — hurting business owners trying to build sustainability
- Financial insecurity in households where care is shared or subsidized
This is not a distant policy discussion. It’s a local, urgent moment for our community, workforce, and legacy.
What You Can Do to Navigate This Shift
- Review your health coverage now — especially if you are self-employed or caregiving
- Launch family and business dialogues around shifting care needs
- Map your business vulnerabilities — where could coverage cuts impact revenue, staffing, or compliance?
- Raise your voice — contact your Senators to share how H.R. 1’s cuts would impact your operations, your staff, and your legacy
If you and your family are looking to celebrate, here is the scoop on two festivals:
The Band of Brothers presents Juneteenth Augusta
Augusta Exchange Fairgrounds
202 Hale Street
Today from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Center of African American History, Art and Culture
Founder’s Park in Aiken
Saturday, June 21st from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
