Federal Legislative Changes Reduce Projected Outlays for Medicaid and SNAP

The South Orange Village Council adopted a resolution urging the Congressional delegation to support actions protecting essential health care and nutrition benefits for older adults, specifically regarding Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The Council noted that in July 2025, Congress, through H.R. 1, made significant changes to these programs, including eligibility, financing, enrollment, and administration. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the law reduces projected federal Medicaid outlays by approximately $1.2 trillion and SNAP outlays by approximately $211 billion through 2035, while shifting a greater share of certain SNAP costs to state governments.

The changes reduce the economic safety net for workers by impacting the funding and availability of critical assistance programs. The Council urged that efforts be made to protect seniors from disruptions while advocating for sufficient federal resources to sustain these programs without imposing unsustainable additional burdens upon state, county, or municipal taxpayers.

Federal funding cuts to Medicaid and SNAP are driving a healthcare and food affordability crisis, reducing the economic safety net for workers.