Marina
President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”, commonly referred to as the “big, beautiful bill”, is drawing sharp scrutiny due to historic proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the legislation would both swell the federal deficit and jeopardize health and food security for millions of low‑income Americans.
This article dissects every aspect of those cuts—legislative details, numeric impact, policy mechanics, and state-by-state implications—based on the most recent analyses from CBO, ABC News, ABC News, CBS News, Politico, and the Center for American Progress.
What the CBO Revealed
- Deficit Expansion: The CBO estimates the bill will raise the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion over 10 years, as spending cuts of only $1.3 trillion cannot offset $3.7 trillion in tax breaks .
- Uninsured Individuals: The number of uninsured Americans would increase by approximately 10.9 million by 2034 as a result of Medicaid and ACA changes
- Total Coverage Losses: Including changes to ACA subsidies, a cumulative 16 million people may lose health coverage under the combined reforms
Medicaid Provisions & Fallout
The bill proposes sweeping changes to Medicaid:
- Work Requirements: Individuals aged 19‑64 without dependents must complete 80 work hours per month starting in 2026, or risk losing coverage . CBO projects 18.5 million adults will confront new mandates; 5.2 million could lose coverage due to these alone
- More Frequent Redeterminations: Eligibility checks jump from annually to bi-annually, increasing administrative burdens
- Provider Tax Freeze: The bill freezes state “provider taxes” that fund Medicaid, affecting rural hospital funding and risking facility closures .
- Citizenship Verification: States using Medicaid to cover undocumented immigrants—14 states plus DC—would lose federal funding for approximately 1.4 million people
- Higher Copays & Paperwork: Recipients above the federal poverty line would face increased copays (up to $35 per visit) and stricter income/residency verification
- Medicare Cuts Overview: Medicaid and ACA spending reduction totals approximately $902 billion over 10 years
SNAP Reforms & Consequences
Key modifications to the food assistance program include:
- Stricter Work Requirements: The age for mandatory work increases from 54 to 64; parents of kids aged over 6 face new requirements
- State Cost‑Sharing Mandate: From 2028, states would need to cover at least 5 % of SNAP costs, shifting burdens and potentially reducing benefits
- Benefit Reductions: CBO estimates SNAP savings of $230 billion over a decade, with about 4 million fewer monthly recipients and average benefit cuts to as much as $15 per month .
Key Figures and Impacts
| Program | Measure | Impact Over 10 Years | Affected People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Deficit | Net increase | +$2.4 trillion | – |
| Medicaid & ACA | Spending cut | –$902 billion | – |
| SNAP | Savings | –$230 billion | – |
| Medicaid Work Rule Losses | Coverage lost | – | 5.2 million via work; 7.8 million total Medicaid losses |
| Undocumented Coverage Loss | – | – | 1.4 million |
| SNAP Participation Drop | – | –$230 billion | ~4 million fewer recipients; ~$15 benefit cut |
Political & Social Implications
- Rural Hospitals at Risk: Missouri Senator Josh Hawley warns that freezing provider tax could force rural hospitals to shut down and impact approximately 1.3 million Missouri Medicaid recipients
- Shift in GOP Messaging: GOP arguing targeted cuts aim to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse,” while Democrats counter that they slash essential services, especially in rural and working-class communities
- Deficit Debate: Republicans defend the legislation claiming it cuts mandatory spending by $1.7 trillion, while Democrats contend these are superficial “budget gimmicks”
Expert Reactions
- Center for American Progress (CAP): Warns that 16 million people may lose insurance, and 680,000 clean-energy jobs could vanish
- Media Analysis: STAT News reports the significant segment of disenrollment—5.1 million from ACA adjustments; 11 million overall losing insurance
- Politico Insight: Highlights a growing political backlash; Medicaid no longer a fringe issue, as defecting swing-district voters emerge
Broader National Effects
- Public Health Impact: Millions losing Medicaid/SNAP could lead to worse health outcomes and increased food insecurity, particularly in low‑income and rural areas.
- State Budget Strain: States forced into cost‑sharing could cut programs, reduce provider reimbursements, or raise taxes.
- Political Shockwaves: Cuts fueling opposition ahead of midterms, especially among voters with direct personal or family ties to affected programs.
SSA will issue the June $2,000‑ish payments on June 11 for those born between the 1st and 10th, following the 2.5% COLA.
While a $3,000 total may be possible for dual-benefit couples, there’s no blanket $3,000 check. Stay alert for delays amid SSA’s increased workload, and ensure your account details are current.