Food Bank Opposes Cuts to SNAP and Medicaid
As the Senate debates a budget reconciliation bill, it’s important to take a step back and consider how these decisions will affect everyday people in Central Louisiana. Reducing federal spending and promoting self-reliance are important goals for Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy, but some of the proposed changes could unintentionally create more problems than they solve.
The budget reconciliation bill passed by the House of Representatives includes the largest cut to food assistance in our nation’s history. In fact, the impact of these cuts far exceeds the total productivity of the entire Feeding America network of over 200 food banks, 22 statewide food bank associations and 60,000 faith-based and charitable food pantries and meal programs. The SNAP cuts in the bill could take an average of 9.5 billion meals off the table every year.
We urge Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy to oppose cuts to life-saving programs like SNAP in their version of the bill. SNAP is our nation’s most effective anti-hunger program, providing timely, targeted grocery benefits to help families weather short-term challenges. And for every one meal that the Feeding America network provides, SNAP provides nine. While it’s important that programs like SNAP and Medicaid are as efficient and accountable as possible, the proposed cuts are rushed and will take affordable health care and food away from the people least able to afford it – seniors, children, veterans, and working families.
One of the most concerning provisions that the Senate may take up in their budget reconciliation bill would shift a large portion of the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the federal government to the states. This could mean Louisiana might have to pay $293,000,000 (based on 25% cost shift) state tax dollars, equivalent to 106 million meals. Most states, including ours, are not able to absorb these costs without reducing benefits, restricting eligibility or raising taxes.
This is especially concerning for rural communities, where food insecurity rates are often higher and access to services is more limited. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report, 85% of parishes and counties with the highest food insecurity are rural. While nearly 20% of children across the country are experiencing food insecurity, in some rural counties, child food insecurity rates are estimated to be as high as 50%. SNAP is a vital tool in these communities, helping families put food on the table and supporting local grocers and farmers.
At the Food Bank of Central Louisiana we are already operating at full capacity alongside our network of food pantries, community kitchens and faith-based partners. We need strong federal programs, food banks, community partners, all working together to solve the hunger crisis. Now is the time to come together to preserve and strengthen SNAP and Medicaid.
As the Senate considers its version of a reconciliation bill, we urge Senator Cassidy and Senator Kennedy to reject any proposals that undermine SNAP and Medicaid and focus on modernizing programs to better support Central Louisiana to thrive.
Jayne Wright-Velez
Executive Director
