Republican Budget Cuts Threaten Medicaid, Food Aid, Rural Health Nationwide

The U.S. House has approved a budget bill proposing significant cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), potentially causing millions of Americans to lose health coverage and food assistance. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 8 million people could lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade, including many reliant on community health centers and rural hospitals, which face closures due to funding losses. Similarly, SNAP cuts threaten millions, including vulnerable populations such as children and older adults, with food banks like North Dakota's Great Plains Food Bank experiencing funding losses that hinder their ability to support local farmers and meet increased demand. Critics warn these cuts will worsen health outcomes and economic inequality, with rural hospitals at immediate risk and the poorest Americans falling further behind. The bill is now pending consideration in the Senate amid concerns about the broader social impact and the prioritization of other government spending. Meanwhile, after-school programs and other federal grants face uncertainty under proposed budget consolidations, raising concerns about support for low-income communities.