On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as part of budget reconciliation—a process by which Congress, when controlled by a single-party trifecta, may make changes to the federal budget with a simple majority vote.
The bill, now under consideration by the Senate, includes serious threats to critical programs that many rural communities rely on.
Cuts to Medicaid will leave millions without health care coverage and result in the closure of rural clinics and hospitals that serve 45% of program enrollees. Rural health care facilities operate on thin margins and rely on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. Weakening Medicaid will place an even heavier financial burden on rural hospitals, which do not have sufficient resources to cover the health care of under- or uninsured patients.
Slashed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding deepens food insecurity in rural areas, where 42% of SNAP recipients live. These cuts to SNAP come at a time when rising grocery prices remain a significant concern. Reducing benefits means less food for families and less revenue for small-town grocers, who already operate on tight margins.
In addition, shifting the costs of SNAP to states will strain local budgets, threatening schools, emergency services, and rural infrastructure. Moving forward, states will be responsible for covering 75% of the administrative costs for SNAP, as well as a portion of the benefits, which historically have been funded by the federal government.
Elimination of clean energy tax credits threatens families’ ability to save on energy bills and undercuts rural economic growth. These credits help households afford energy-saving improvements and allow local governments, schools, and community organizations to reduce costs and reinvest in their communities. Rolling back these incentives risks the loss of both immediate savings and long-term revenue for rural areas.
As the fate of the bill remains uncertain, now is the time to act! Contact your senators to express your concerns and ask them to reject a bill that threatens essential programs across rural communities.
Find contact information for your senators here: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Your input is vital in painting a clear picture of the real-world consequences of the funding decisions that lie in the hands of Congress. Collective action can lead to meaningful change and the preservation of essential programs that support our rural communities.
If you have any questions or would like assistance contacting your senators, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
