The Fight for Medicaid and SNAP: Why We Must Stand Together Against Federal Cuts
The U.S. House Congress passed the budget Reconciliation bill 215-214 on May 21, 2025, with all Republicans voting YES and all Democrats voting NO. This bill proposes massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Some have labeled the Reconciliation bill as the largest upward transfer of wealth in history from low-income families to the most affluent. Even more concerning, some legislators are arguing that the proposed cuts don't go far enough, pushing for even more dramatic reductions in these essential programs. With the bill passing onto the Senate for consideration, it is time for all of us to dial up the pressure on members of Congress and demand they oppose this bill.
In today's political climate, Medicaid and SNAP benefits are facing unprecedented scrutiny and potential cuts. These programs serve as lifelines for millions of Americans, yet they're currently under threat. Let's examine what's at stake and why community action is crucial.
The Human Cost Behind Policy Decisions
Medicaid and SNAP are not just budget line items—we're talking about real people with real needs. Estimates range around 8-15 million individuals to lose healthcare coverage. This figure could rise as provisions of the House bill grow harsher. Essential healthcare and nutrition are relied by families. These aren't just statistics; they're our neighbors, friends, and community members.
Impacts on Indian Country. Tribal communities, especially, stand to lose the most. In 2023, Montana saw 46.6 percent of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population enrolled in Medicaid compared to 19.7 percent non-AI/AN. The relationship between Medicaid and Indian Country is distinctive because Tribes use the program to supplement persistent underfunding of the Indian Health Service (IHS), the federal agency tasked with delivering healthcare to American Indians.
Cuts to Medicaid could most certainly decimate Tribal health programs. Tribal health providers depend on Medicaid for approximately two-thirds of their third-party revenue, which provides financial stability and covers operational expenses. “When you’re talking about somewhere between 30% to 60% of a facility’s budget is made up by Medicaid dollars, that’s a very difficult hole to try and backfill,” said Winn Davis, congressional relations director for the National Indian Health Board. Over one million American Indians use Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to access care beyond Tribal health facilities without incurring substantial medical debt. In response to potential changes, Tribal leaders are urging Congress for exemptions and mobilizing to defend their continued access to these essential programs.
SNAP. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serves as an essential resource for millions of low-income families, including American Indians and Alaska Natives, providing crucial food security. This federal program also represents an essential way the United States fulfills its trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations and their communities. Federal anti-hunger initiatives like SNAP hold particular significance for Tribal populations—roughly one in four American Indians relies on federal food assistance, with some Tribal communities seeing participation rates reaching 80 percent.
Work Requirements. One of the most troubling proposals involves implementing work requirements—mandating 80 hours of work per month to receive benefits putting 9.7 million to 14.4 million people at risk of losing Medicaid coverage in 2034 . The legislation includes an exemption for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals eligible for services through the Indian health system from Medicaid community engagement/work requirements protecting the federal trust and treaty obligations. Medicaid work requirements without an AI/AN exemption would likely cause many AI/ANs to lose coverage and would place additional strain on the Indian health system resources.
These requirements create substantial barriers for recipients, many of whom already work but in positions with unpredictable hours or who face challenges like caregiving responsibilities or health issues.
Additionally, the costs of implementing these reporting systems would be shifted onto states, creating unfunded mandates that strain state budgets and resources.
We need people to tell their stories. Personal narratives have power. When legislators hear firsthand accounts of how these programs provide crucial support, it humanizes the issue and demonstrates the real-world impact of their decisions.
The "Fraud, Waste, and Abuse" Narrative
Critics often fall back on claims of widespread "fraud, waste, and abuse" to justify cuts. However, this narrative is largely overblown. Studies consistently show that fraud rates in these programs are quite low. This talking point serves primarily to stigmatize recipients and create public support for damaging cuts.
The money allegedly saved from these programs through stringent requirements doesn't disappear—it gets reallocated. Instead of reinvesting in improving these vital services, too often these "savings" end up financing tax cuts for the wealthiest 0.01 percent of Americans. This represents a massive transfer of resources from our most vulnerable citizens to those who need help least.
The Far-Reaching Impact
You don't have to be on Medicaid to be affected by Medicaid cuts. When these programs are slashed, everyone feels the impact:
Taking Action: What You Can Do
Your Voice Matters
While these programs aren't perfect, the answer isn't cutting them—it's improving them. We must defend these programs now so we can strengthen them later. Without a foundation to build upon, we lose the opportunity for meaningful reform that genuinely helps those in need.
The battle for Medicaid and SNAP is not just about budgets—it's about values. It's about who we are as a society and how we treat our most vulnerable members. By standing together, sharing our stories, and taking concrete action, we can help ensure these vital programs remain intact and continue to serve those who need them most. Your voice matters in this fight. The time to speak up is now.
MBPC is a nonprofit organization focused on providing credible and timely research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues that impact low- and moderate-income Montana families.