The House of Representatives passed its Reconciliation Bill, and it now moves to the Senate where the bill is expected to undergo significant revisions. The House bill included cutting federal funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) by about $267 billion over 10 years, increasing the state-and-local-tax (SALT) deduction (to about $40,000), and implementing work requirements for Medicaid, and additional work requirements for SNAP.  The bill also imposes increased SNAP cost-sharing formulas for states which would incur higher SNAP benefit costs, likely resulting in more stringent eligibility requirements. 

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) holds a firm policy position that cuts to SNAP and Medicaid would result in a serious decline in both the quantity and quality of services available to children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

These changes reduce access to essential nutrition benefits and health care and behavioral health services for individuals with nowhere else to turn. Medicaid cuts would disproportionately impact people living in rural communities and small towns, the very communities that already have lower incomes, fewer opportunities for employment, and less access to social services. The additional SNAP work requirements and increased state cost sharing formulas could keep 11 million people from receiving food assistance, or getting it significantly reduced, including 4 million children whose parents would no longer qualify for benefits.

You can help your brothers and sisters in need. Tell your Senators to say NO to cuts in SNAP and Medicaid benefits.