Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Threaten Reproductive Justice and Human Rights
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What’s going on?
Virginia's Governor and 19 other governors signed a letter supporting Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." This bill would cut $625 billion from Medicaid over the next 10 years. That's the biggest cut to Medicaid ever in America's history. The President says "nobody will lose health insurance," but government experts say 13.7 million Americans would actually lose their healthcare. The cuts happen slowly over 10 years, which means the politicians who vote for it won't have to face angry voters when people start losing their healthcare.
Why This Isn't About “Waste” - It's About Systematic Cruelty
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Medicaid provides significant healthcare access. The program covers 72 million Americans and finances 42% of all U.S. births. Research shows doula services covered by Medicaid reduce cesarean rates by 39% and birth complications by 40%, with an average healthcare cost savings of $986 per birth. The program serves as primary healthcare access for many low-income families, people with disabilities, and rural communities.
(Sources: National Health Law Program, Kaiser Family Foundation) -
Reducing federal Medicaid spending by $625 billion over 10 years
Introducing work requirements (80 hours/month minimum) for certain recipients ages 19-64
Increasing eligibility verification from annual to semi-annual reviews
Allowing states to charge copays up to $35 per service for some enrollees
Modifying enrollment periods and processes
Requiring proof of work or qualifying activities before coverage begins
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An estimated 630,000 residents could lose coverage
State doula coverage would end due to Virginia's funding trigger provisions
Approximately half of Virginia's births are currently covered by Medicaid
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Georgia's work requirement program enrolled 7,000 people out of 345,000 eligible residents in its first implementation period. Administrative costs for the program totaled $87 million, with approximately 75% allocated to program administration rather than direct medical care.
(Source: Washington Post) -
The reconciliation bill also targets the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves approximately 900,000 Virginians. The legislation would require states to share more of the costs of running the program by at least $353 million annually. The Urban Institute describes SNAP as "a proven anti-hunger and anti-poverty program," and cuts would likely make it harder for families to afford groceries. Economic ripple effects could impact local businesses and farms when families reduce food purchases due to reduced benefits.
(Sources: Virginia Dogwood, Urban Institute) -
Politico https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/13/congress/cbo-megabill-medicaid-00345235
Virginia Dogwood
https://virginiamercury.com/briefs/youngkin-19-republican-governors-sign-letter-supporting-bill-that-would-cut-billions-from-medicaid/
Virginia Mercury
The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/05/16/medicaid-work-trump-cuts/
CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/politics/fact-check-gop-bill-medicaid-cuts
Medicaid supports everyday people and the providers who ensure communities thrive.
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