As United Methodists, we continue to affirm that “health care is a basic human right” and understand that accessible and quality food systems contribute to healthy outcomes (Social Principles, 163.A).
Our Social Principles “endorse policies and practices designed to ensure access to healthy nourishment (Social Principles 160.C).” Contact your congressional leaders now to urge that this vision of equity in health and nutrition is upheld in budget reconciliation.
The budget resolution passed by the House of Representatives requires that the Energy & Commerce Committee, the committee that gives oversight to Medicaid, identify at least $880 billion to cut from programming.
As policymakers have repeatedly stated that cuts to Medicare are not an option, the only way to achieve the level of cuts that have been proposed is to make significant changes to Medicaid.
Similarly, the budget resolution calls for the House Committee on Agriculture to cut $230 billion for its programs – indicating that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will also be severely reduced.
In the coming weeks, the House and Senate will work on a compromise budget resolution that would need to pass each chamber to unlock the reconciliation process.
Act now to let your congressional leaders know that drastically cutting Medicaid and SNAP cannot be an option in the budget reconciliation process.
This content was originally published by the General Board of Church and Society; republished with permission on ResourceUMC.org on April 2, 2025.