Texas Republican Megabill Set to Impact Millions: Medicaid Cuts, SNAP Changes, and Border Security Funding
The recent passage of a significant Republican megabill by the House has raised concerns among Texans, as it encompasses major changes to Medicaid, SNAP benefits, and border security. The bill—part of a larger budget reconciliation package—was supported by nearly all House Republicans from Texas and is now headed to the Senate.
Key provisions in the bill include a $12 billion allocation to reimburse Texas for its state-funded border security measures, known as Operation Lone Star, which Governor Greg Abbott has advocated for since the Biden administration took office.
Significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are also included, with implications that could see around 3.2 million fewer Americans receiving food assistance by 2034. The new requirements would mandate most able-bodied individuals under 65 to work or volunteer for at least 80 hours monthly to qualify for benefits. If not absorbed by state funding, the cuts could add $1 billion annually to Texas’s expenses, exacerbating food insecurity.
Medicaid, which affects many low-income Texans, could be further strained. Proposed changes include requiring able-bodied recipients without dependents to work or volunteer, potentially leaving 8 million more Americans uninsured by 2034, with a projected 7% decrease in Texas enrollment.
Alongside these changes, the bill allocates over $46 billion for border security and imposes restrictions on renewable energy tax credits, impacting a sector that has flourished in Texas.
Democrats have criticized the bill, warning that the cuts will disproportionately affect low-income families and rural hospitals that depend on Medicaid. With the future of healthcare and food assistance in Texas hanging in the balance, this legislation faces scrutiny as it moves through Congress.
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