Using a “Die-In” protest, my story joining other community members to urge Senator Thom Tillis to vote against proposed Medicaid cuts, highlighting their critical impact on North Carolinians, especially those living with HIV.

Written By Adriana Adams

On June 17, 2025 I was asked to join a group of concerned citizens who were gathering outside of Senator Thom Tillis’s office in Greensboro, North Carolina to hold a “Die-In”. Armed with signs shaped like tombstones, the rally hosted by Indivisible NC wanted to draw attention to the Medicaid cuts that the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” would mean for North Carolinians. I was asked to say a few words on behalf of the clients we serve. I chose to speak directly to Senator Tillis, imploring him to vote against this bill. 

“Mr. Tillis,

 I stand here today on behalf of the thousands of North Carolinians who are living with HIV and as a member of the community who works tirelessly in public health and social justice to demand that you take action to stop the advancement of this “Great Big Beautiful Bill”. 

Within the HIV community alone, 40% of people living with HIV depend on Medicaid for their insurance coverage. Since 2023, this number has grown in North Carolina as Medicaid has expanded.

Currently, through Medicaid, people living with HIV have access to medication without a copay, medication that not only is life-saving for people living with HIV, but also prevents the spread of HIV. On medication, people living with HIV have U=U status, meaning HIV is undetectable in their bodies and therefore untransmittable. Access to affordable medication literally keeps our communities safer and healthier. Without access to affordable healthcare coverage, medication costs are unreasonable. A monthly supply of generic medication for HIV is $1,916. You are asking for people living at or near the Federal Poverty Line to cough up close to $2000 a month- more than they make in a month!

Mr. Tillis, it surprised me when I read your biography online and discovered that you are a person who claims to come from a family with financial struggles of your own. Perhaps you are the kind of person who believes that if you can work hard and overcome barriers, anyone can work hard and overcome barriers. I challenge you, Mr. Tillis, to think back over your life and consider all the times that someone’s generosity, good grace, and just sheer chance or luck brought you to where you are today. I also read in your biography that you, too, sir, have had a health scare. It was a routine cancer screening that helped you detect cancer early in your own body. After your early detection, you publicly encouraged others to complete their routine screenings. How dare you encourage everyone to get screened in one breath, yet vote against policies that would expand those life-saving measures for more of your constituents? 

We demand the same care for all North Carolinians that you are privileged to receive. Vote against this bill!

To those gathered here today and to those who may hear these words later- I am proud to be here today, following in the footsteps of many activists before me. Die-ins were a tool used heavily in the early days of the AIDS epidemic when the federal government refused to acknowledge the AIDS crisis, and people-brothers, uncles, cousins- were dying by the thousands. At the time, playwright and LGBTQ Activist Larry Kramer famously said, “Unless we fight for our lives, we shall die.” So, to those who are listening, it is time to stop appealing to politicians who clearly do not care about their constituents. Politicians who, like Mr. Tillis, have clearly forgotten about their humble roots, where their veggies are grown, and even the hands that pick them. We must fight for our own lives or we shall die. We must show one another and the media our suffering, our hardship, our sickness, our pain, our hurt. 

I say, “ACT UP! Fight Fascism!”

We urge all of our supporters to call Senator Tillis’s office and ask him to vote against this bill. Please advocate on behalf of our clients and for the public health of all North Carolinians.

The office of North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis can be reached at (704) 509-9087.