This week, House Republicans approved legislation in committee that will cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance and access to food assistance programs, all so they can give tax breaks to billionaires.
This plan will make health care more expensive, cause hospital closures, and jeopardize coverage for everyday Americans:
- At least 13 million Americans will lose their coverage due to cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
- Rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding to stay open will have to reduce services or close entirely.
- The Medicaid cuts will put enormous strain on state budgets, which will cause states to reduce or eliminate other programs families need.
What’s more, the tax bill also reduces funding for basic needs programs which help poor families obtain the bare necessities they need. Millions who currently rely on the program could suffer, including:
- 1.2 million veterans, 4.8 million seniors, and 14.6 million children could lose eligibility for the SNAP program, which provides food assistance.
- More than 1 million children risk losing access to free or reduced-price school meals.
- Grocery costs will increase by over $500 per year for 40 million people, including more than 1 million veterans and 1 in 5 children.
Who benefits from this tax bill? The overwhelming majority of benefits will go to the ultra-wealthy, while prices will increase for everyday Americans:
- 70% of tax benefits will go to the wealthiest 5%, while costs will go up for the bottom 40% of Americans.
- The bill would eliminate tax credits which have created more than 400,000 new jobs – including more than 200,000 jobs in Congressional districts with a Republican representative.
And the truth is, the conservative agenda is unpopular with Americans.
- 82% of Americans oppose Medicaid cuts, including 60% of Trump voters.
- 71% of Americans want Medicaid to remain largely the same.
- Americans from across the political spectrum disagree with Congressional Republicans’ plans to gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP in order to give the rich even more in handouts.
More Resources:
- Associated Press: House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts that Democrats warn will leave millions without care
- The Washington Post: GOP’s scaled-back Medicaid plan still threatens coverage for millions
- New York Times: Republicans Target Federal Anti-Hunger Program as They Prepare Trump Tax Package
- NPR: Experts warn Congress cuts to Medicaid and addiction funding will mean more overdose deaths
- The Washington Post: Nursing home and elder-care residents could be hit hard by potential Medicaid cuts
