The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the Big Brutal Bill this week and—like its House counterpart—it’s devastating for nutrition and health care programs for vulnerable communities.
The Senate proposal includes the largest cut to SNAP in history, as part of a budget package that guts basic needs programs.
The bill also contains the largest cuts to Medicaid in history, and will result in 16 million people losing their health insurance. A recent analysis of the House-passed bill found that because of the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and reduced staffing requirements at nursing homes, 51,000 people will die each year.
Additionally, according to the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as many as 330 rural hospitals nationwide could close or reduce services as a result of this bill. And, new research shows that cuts to Medicaid along with SNAP will reduce jobs by 1.2 million nationwide, equivalent to about a 0.8% increase in the unemployment rate.
Cutting the heart out of basic needs programs including SNAP and Medicaid doesn’t save states or the federal government money—it denies care and creates bigger problems down the road, shifting the burden to service providers, local governments, and taxpayers. This will lead to higher costs and more strain on budgets—household and state budgets alike. And it will cost lives.
It’s not too late to change course. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the Senate act to protect health care, nutrition, and other essential services that help millions of families meet their basic needs. We should strengthen support for these programs—not take them away
View a recording of this webinar here. See the slides here.
The Biden Administration’s proposed American Jobs and American Families Plans provide unprecedented opportunities to address deep-seated racial inequities in education, employment, health, housing, and income. With this Administration and Congress, we have a very real chance of advancing once-in-a-lifetime legislation that would lift millions out of poverty, help all kids reach their full potential, get workers better pay and benefits, and expand health coverage.
But none of this can become a reality without Congress. And while Congress adjourns for recess this August, we have an ideal opportunity to build momentum for lasting change. Join the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Community Change, and the Coalition on Human Needs for a webinar on:
• Why recovery legislation is so important, and how it can advance racial equity;
• What comes next, and the strategy moving forward;
• What tools, resources, and tactics you can use for engaging Congress this August recess.