When Congress uses essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP as bargaining chips, it’s not Washington that suffers — it’s Indiana. As a state legislator who regularly hears from working families, single parents, and seniors trying to make ends meet, I can tell you exactly what the Republicans’ so-called “big, beautiful” bill means for Indiana: heavier burdens, fewer safety nets, and harsher struggles for our most vulnerable neighbors.
This bill, narrowly passed in the U.S. House and backed by the president, is being marketed as a fix for excessive government spending. But let’s be honest: slashing Medicaid and cutting access to food aid isn’t reform — it’s a betrayal of those who rely on these services most.
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The proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alone would eliminate more than 100 million meals for Indiana families over the next ten years. Over 2 million Hoosiers — including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — depend on Medicaid. More than 600,000 count on SNAP to keep food on the table. If this bill becomes law, tens of thousands could lose access to these vital programs instantly.
When families fall through the cracks, it’s the state that has to pick up the pieces. If Medicaid funding is slashed, Indiana must either cut services again — on top of those already reduced in the last legislative session — or cover the cost itself. And those costs won’t vanish.
Indiana could face up to $356 million in additional costs over the next decade just from SNAP cuts alone. And that doesn’t even account for Medicaid reductions. When federal support for core programs disappears, the impact ripples throughout the state. That’s money we’d need to keep kids fed during school breaks, help seniors retain health coverage, support working parents with child care, and keep families from falling into poverty. If the state can’t — or won’t — make up the difference, the pressure will fall on already overwhelmed hospitals, food banks, and community groups. Emergency rooms will fill, untreated health conditions will worsen, and local governments will be forced to find last-minute solutions. In the end, it’s local taxpayers who will pay for federal neglect.
The bill also imposes new work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients, mandating 80 hours per month of employment, education, or community service for able-bodied adults without dependents. These rules, which take effect in 2026, will apply to those aged 19 to 64. Only individuals under 19, pregnant women, or caregivers of young children or disabled individuals are exempt.
On top of that, Medicaid recipients would need to verify their eligibility twice a year — less strict than Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 2, which already requires quarterly, monthly, and annual checks.
The bill raises the SNAP work requirement age cap from 54 to 64, meaning many older adults would need to meet these new conditions or risk losing benefits.
For seniors already dealing with health issues or facing employment barriers, these demands are unrealistic. The Congressional Budget Office projects the bill will reduce Medicaid funding by more than $700 billion. Indiana alone could lose around $15 billion in federal support.
We’ve seen this strategy before: push costs downward, label it “efficiency,” and leave working families behind. These aren’t just cuts — they’re punishments. They stigmatize poverty and make it harder for Hoosiers to get help when they need it. They ignore the real barriers people face, like lack of transportation, unreliable child care, low wages, and unstable housing — all of which make meeting these new mandates nearly impossible.
I’ve spoken with families in our district already on the edge. For them, SNAP and Medicaid aren’t handouts — they’re the difference between surviving and spiraling into crisis. Taking these supports away won’t make people more self-sufficient; it will push them deeper into hardship.
Our state leaders need to speak out, not quietly accept the damage. We should be fighting back, demanding Congress protect — not dismantle — our safety nets. We must invest in long-term solutions that uplift families, strengthen our economy, and reduce the need for emergency relief — not policies that punish those asking for help.
Here’s the truth that often goes unspoken: this is all about saving money. But if that’s the case, we should be honest — investing in people is the real cost-saving strategy. When families have what they need — stable housing, healthy food, reliable transportation, quality health care, and good wages — they thrive. That means fewer ER visits, fewer evictions, and fewer public dollars spent on crisis care.
Hoosiers are tough. But toughness isn’t a substitute for support. When Washington chooses cuts over care, Indiana is left to carry the burden.
