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President-elect Trump’s proposed tax cuts, heavily favoring the wealthy, would be offset by cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Advisers are considering stricter work requirements and spending caps for these programs, potentially impacting millions of low-income Americans. This plan would exacerbate existing inequality, as the tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the richest 5%, while the cuts to social programs would harm the poorest. The proposed changes include increased Medicaid eligibility checks and limitations on SNAP benefits, risking the loss of healthcare and food assistance for many vulnerable families.
To offset the massive cost of extending the 2017 tax cuts, Congressional Republicans are exploring significant changes to Medicaid and SNAP. These potential changes include imposing new work requirements and spending caps on both programs, despite evidence showing such measures are ineffective at boosting employment. Further discussed is limiting the President’s authority to adjust SNAP benefits, potentially saving tens of billions but significantly impacting food assistance for millions. These proposed cuts, however, fall far short of covering the projected cost of the Republican tax agenda, which overwhelmingly favors the wealthy and corporations.
John Q. Hosedrinker