House Republicans are advancing a massive proposal to cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and food stamps, key programs supporting tens of millions of Americans. The plan is part of a broader push to implement former President Donald Trump’s agenda.
The legislation would roll back federal Medicaid funding by $700 billion over 10 years, potentially stripping coverage from over 10 million people. Though some may find coverage elsewhere, experts project 7.6 million more Americans could be uninsured by 2034.
For the first time in the program’s 60-year history, adults aged 19 to 64 would be required to work 80 hours a month or meet equivalent criteria to retain benefits. Exemptions apply to parents, pregnant women, and some with health issues—but reporting requirements could still cause millions to lose coverage due to paperwork errors or missed deadlines.
The cuts would hit hospitals hard, especially in rural and low-income areas, leading to higher costs, reduced services, or closures. Delays in new enrollment rules could also cause 2.3 million people—including seniors and disabled Americans—to lose coverage.
States, facing reduced federal support, might respond by cutting benefits, raising taxes, or diverting funds from areas like education.
The plan also tightens rules for SNAP (food stamps). Work requirements would expand to include those up to age 64 and parents with school-age kids. States would be forced to pay part of SNAP costs for the first time, with high-penalty rates for administrative errors.
Experts say the changes could push 11 million people, including 4 million children, off food assistance. Grocery stores warn of widespread job losses and local economic damage, as SNAP supports 388,000 jobs and $20B in wages.
“This would be one of the largest rollbacks of support programs in U.S. history,” said Alice Burns of KFF. “We don’t know the full impact—but it will be felt nationwide.”
The final form of the bill is still being negotiated in Congress. But if passed, it could bring sweeping changes to how America supports its most vulnerable.
