Tell Your Members of Congress: No Cuts to SNAP & Medicaid

Congress is considering budget proposals that would slash essential nutrition and health support for young families. Act NOW to prevent these cuts before the House and Senate Budget committees meet this week.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are vital lifelines for millions of Americans. Over one million families in Illinois secure food and nutrition through SNAP, and 3.4 million get their health coverage through Medicaid. Together, these programs combat hunger, improve health, and boost economic well-being. Medicaid is a lifeline for medical coverage and a foundation for economic and health security for 80 million Americans. It is also a key funding pillar for doctors and hospitals, on which we all rely.

Congressional leaders are considering Medicaid proposals to:

Cap benefits by ensuring that states only receive a set amount of federal dollars for each beneficiary (known as a per capita cap)
Transform Medicaid into a block grant program instead of a program that is responsive to increases or decreases in need
Eliminating the 90% federal match rate for states that have expanded Medicaid (including Illinois) which would mean fewer resources for Illinois to care for its residents
Reducing the overall federal match rate which would mean few resources for Illinois to care for its residents
Cutting or eliminating state use of taxes on health care providers;
Instituting work reporting requirements as a condition of eligibility for the program, also known as community engagement requirements

The SNAP and Medicaid programs are under threat this Congress. It is critical that you tell your members of Congress now to keep nutrition and health care for young moms and their children who rely on this support as they journey towards increased economic mobility and well-being.

Take action now

What's your district & how can legislators reach you?

Your Message to the legislators

Dear (name and title inserted automatically),

I am writing to you today because I am a constituent and deeply concerned about potential cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts would hurt young moms who are pregnant and/or parenting who rely on these critical supports to maintain their health and progress toward economic mobility.

Medicaid is essential to me and my community. In Illinois, it helps 3.4 million people, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families access the care they need. Nationwide, Medicaid provides coverage for 36.8 million children, 60% of seniors in nursing homes, and 41% of births.

SNAP is our nation's first line of defense against hunger. It also ensures a healthy public and bolsters economic stability. Cutting SNAP benefits will force more families into food insecurity, increasing the demand on food banks and local charities, which are already stretched thin. For every nine meals SNAP provides, food charities supply just one, demonstrating that these organizations cannot absorb the loss of SNAP benefits.

Any proposals to cap Medicaid funding, reduce the federal share of Medicaid spending, establish block grants, institute work requirements, or otherwise undermine the fundamental structure of the Medicaid program will have disastrous consequences. Families will lose access to lifesaving services, states will be strapped with massive budget holes, hospitals and clinics will lose revenue, forcing them to scale back services, and American families and workers will be unable to afford essential care to help them stay healthy.

Additionally, both programs have huge impacts on Illinois' economy. Every dollar invested in SNAP generates up to $1.80 in economic activity during an economic downturn. Cutting this program would harm families and weaken local economies, particularly in rural and low-income areas that depend on the economic stimulus SNAP provides. Medicaid helps enrollees live more economically secure lives and is also Illinois's largest source of federal funds ($23 billion in FY23).

Americans expect Congress to improve affordability for everyday needs like buying groceries, paying rent, and getting health care. Proposals to cut SNAP and Medicaid would do the exact opposite, shifting costs onto working families, our state, community-based organizations, and hospitals.

Please reject any cuts to SNAP and Medicaid and instead take action to lower costs and protect access to food and health care for Illinois families.

Medicaid and SNAP are important to me. I ask that you protect Medicaid and SNAP in the budget reconciliation process. Protect healthy births and healthy families across Illinois.

Thank you for your time and consideration,