House Republican Budget Plan Could Slash Over $1 Trillion from Medicaid and SNAP, Sparking Outrage
The House Republican budget plan, which former President Donald Trump has endorsed, proposes over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), raising alarm among lawmakers, healthcare advocates, and citizens alike.
According to the bill, Medicaid alone would see approximately $880 billion slashed from its funding, while SNAP—often referred to as food stamps—would lose around $230 billion. These proposed cuts would have a far-reaching impact on some of the most vulnerable Americans, including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) warned of the devastating effects such reductions would have on communities. “There’s over 70 million Americans who get Medicaid … [including] seniors in long-term care, over 30 million children, Americans with disabilities,” Baldwin said on Wednesday. “It also is the lifeblood for some of our critical access to rural hospitals, community health clinics, et cetera. Without Medicaid, many of those would disappear.”
Despite an uncertain path forward for the bill, its endorsement by Trump has sparked widespread concern, particularly given his recent statements promising to protect Medicaid. The apparent contradiction has fueled criticism and mobilized opposition.
DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy voiced her strong disapproval of the proposal, emphasizing the potential harm to millions of Americans. “While currently it looks unlikely the GOP has enough votes to pass this bill—the very fact remains that Trump endorsed this bill not 24 hours after promising not to make any cuts to Medicaid. This is a call to action to all Americans to call your senators and demand they start working FOR us instead of for the oligarchs. It’s disgusting what these people are trying to do to our country,” Worthy stated.
If enacted, the cuts could trigger a ripple effect across the economy, potentially leaving many without essential services and pushing more individuals into poverty. Worthy highlighted the betrayal many voters may feel upon realizing the impact of these policies. “Many of the Americans who voted them into office and trusted them with these big, important decisions are now finding themselves about to lose their healthcare and social security benefits. Many are going to find themselves homeless and jobless as a result of the economic impact these budget cuts will have.”
Worthy also pointed to the stark contrast between the proposed cuts and the benefits members of Congress receive, suggesting that if budget reductions are necessary, lawmakers should not be exempt. “If we need to cut fat from our budget—perhaps we should start with cutting the gross salaries and lifetime benefits like free healthcare each of these senators receives, all while they use their insider knowledge to build massive stock portfolios.”
The proposed bill has sparked intense backlash across the political spectrum, with many Americans increasingly vocal about their frustration with what they see as policies that prioritize the wealthy over the working class.
“America is about to find itself in the midst of a revolution if the GOP continues to insist everyday Americans should be happy to watch them eat cake,” Worthy warned, invoking the historical symbol of elite detachment from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
As debate over the bill continues, the response from the public and lawmakers will determine whether these drastic cuts become reality or serve as a rallying cry for change. With the 2024 elections approaching, the issue of healthcare funding may well shape the political landscape in the months to come.
