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 this webinar here. View the slides here.
Critical gains for children have been made with the passage of the American Rescue Plan. But Congress needs to make ongoing investments to ensure our children’s futures aren’t permanently damaged and to shrink the gaps between poor and non-poor children and between white children and children of color. This webinar will educate advocates across the nation about the critical importance of enacting or building upon multiple provisions in President Biden’s investment plans and proposed budget.
You’ll learn from experts around the country who will illustrate the need for child care, the expanded Child Tax Credit, investment in education, and services for youth. You’ll hear from Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund, about the health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have exacerbated long-standing problems for children and their families. Deborah Weinstein, CHN’s Executive Director, will describe what’s before Congress and action steps advocates can take. Deborah Stein of the Partnership for America’s Children will be our moderator, and a panel of experts will take your questions. The webinar is a collaborative effort with the Partnership for America’s Children, and our moderator, Deborah Stein, is the Partnership’s Network Director.
Even if you can’t attend, be sure to register to receive a recording of the webinar and resources. This webinar will be captioned.