Cuts by 'Big Ugly Bill' still loom for our communities

By Janet St. Clair, Megan Dunn, Brian Sullivan, Barry Buchanan and Jani Hitchen

On July 4, President Trump signed into law Public Law 119-21, commonly known by either the “Big Beautiful Bill” or the “Big Ugly Bill” depending on your point of view.

It officially has no short title as the senate version eliminated the title. It is well-known for sweeping changes to Medicaid, SNAP, clean energy cuts, and regressive tax reforms. An article by Jerry Cornfield in the Washington State Standard described that “GOP state senators in WA go to bat for Trump’s mega bill,” defending the cuts, describing concerns as “fear mongering” by Democrats.

Following publication, several local elected officials came together to discuss the importance of sharing the facts and data that demonstrate the overwhelming impact these federal changes will have on local communities, rural health care and hospitals, social determinants of health and the safety net that protects children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Many of us are members with the National Association of Counties (NACo), a bipartisan national organization that unites over 40,000 elected officials to build “healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America.”

On July 14, NACo passed a bipartisan unanimous resolution to the American Counties Platform expressing concerns for the impacts of cuts to Medicaid and nutrition programs that would have devastating impacts on those who depend on these programs for health care, mental health treatment, disability services, senior care, and residential care for those with disabilities. Whatcom County Councilmember Barry Buchanan brought forward the resolution warning that, “cuts to all Medicaid programs would increase costs to individuals and health care systems.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-cuts-by-big-ugly-bill-still-loom-for-our-communities/