WCA’s Response to Medicaid and SNAP Cuts in Federal Budget

At Westchester Children’s Association, our mission is to ensure that every child is healthy, safe, and prepared for life’s challenges. From convening Parent Empowerment Groups to inform our child poverty reduction advocacy, to observing the inequities of insufficient legal counsel in eviction courts, and understanding the obstacles of affordable childcare, a recurring issue remains clear: families are struggling to make ends meet.

The federal budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1, was signed by the President after passage through the US Senate and House. Included in the policy are devastating cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—lifeline programs that tens of thousands of children in Westchester depend on. These cuts will not only restrict critical resources but also increase obstacles working families face when trying to access these services.

More than 240,000 Westchester residents rely on Medicaid, and nearly one in four children in the county live in a household that benefits from it. The Medicaid work requirement issued in the bill mandates recipients to participate in community service of work training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain coverage, with exemptions to those who are medically limited, or have caregiving responsibilities. The bill also includes more frequent recertification for those enrolled.

SNAP cuts, meanwhile, tightens eligibility for food assistance, impacting populations such as children aging out of foster care, those experiencing homelessness, and working parents. As one single mother expressed in our Parent Empowerment Groups, “The only thing we do rely on is the food stamps and cash assistance. That’s never enough.” For those managing work, childcare, and household responsibilities who simply cannot keep up with rising costs, this cut would be detrimental.

Westchester Children’s Association, in partnership with many New York State and local organizations, continues to push for policies, programs, and funding allocations that best support children and their families. We have seen monumental wins – from the recent funding of New York State’s Universal School Meals to an increase in the Empire State Child Tax Credit. As we navigate this change that will likely impact the health, nutrition, and stability of Westchester’s children, WCA stands ready to work with those in our community to defend our kid’s futures.