Texas Democrats Unite Against Proposed Bill
The proposed bill, supported by President Donald Trump, would make significant cuts to Medicaid and the federal supplemental food program SNAP. Several Texas Democrats in Congress, including those representing Houston, have spoken out against the bill, warning of its devastating effects on the state’s most vulnerable populations.
Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
The bill would cut an average of $2,800 in annual taxes for people earning about $217,000 or more per year, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center. However, it would also cut nearly $1 trillion in funding for Medicaid and SNAP, leaving millions of Texans without access to healthcare and food. Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia warned that the bill would hurt Texas’ most vulnerable families the most, stating, "So let that sink in, Republicans are choosing to take food off the table so they can give people with billions of dollars another tax break."
Impact on Texans
More than 4 million people across the state are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, the federal health program for children. As for SNAP, more than 3.6 million Texans rely on it for food. The cuts would be heavily felt by Texans, particularly those who depend on Medicaid for healthcare and SNAP for meals. Castro said, "This piece of legislation is going to make hard times even harder for the most vulnerable people in our state." Garcia added, "People will die if this bill becomes law. They will die."
Texas’ Uninsured Population
Texas is home to the country’s highest uninsured population, according to the Texas Medical Association. The state has both the highest rate of uninsured people and the most number of uninsured residents compared to other states. Additionally, the number of children in the state without health insurance has been growing, according to Public Health Watch. Cuts to Medicaid would be devastating for Texans, with wide-ranging impacts on their health.
Rural Communities
The impacts of the bill will be magnified in rural communities, where hospitals are already struggling to survive. Since 2005, over 100 rural hospitals have closed in Texas. Castro emphasized that cuts to Medicaid are going to heavily affect funding at hospitals in rural counties, stating, "This is going to help dismantle the infrastructure of rural life in Texas." Doggett added, "This is going to accelerate the death of many rural communities in Texas, because it’s going to kill some of the public schools, kill some of the hospitals, and the Trump administration has already basically done away with the effort to extend broadband and internet service to rural communities."
Conclusion
The proposed bill would have devastating effects on Texas’ most vulnerable populations, particularly those who depend on Medicaid and SNAP. The cuts would lead to a loss of access to healthcare and food, ultimately resulting in the loss of lives. Texas Democrats are urging Congress to reject the bill, citing its detrimental effects on the state’s economy, healthcare system, and rural communities. As Garcia said, "Millions of children will know that same pain" of going without food and healthcare if the bill passes. It is crucial that lawmakers consider the long-term consequences of the bill and prioritize the well-being of all Texans.
