Monday: North Texas Families to Discuss Impact of Potential Medicaid, SNAP Cuts on Children
In July 2024, more than 485,000 children in Dallas & Tarrant Counties relied on Medicaid for their health care, according to Texas Health and Human Services data. These children could face serious consequences if Capitol Hill cuts Medicaid.
Media Contact: John Henry, jhenry@childrensdefense.org, Media Relations Manager, 708-646-7679
DALLAS, TX— On Monday, North Texas families will gather at Friendship-West Baptist Church to discuss how potential cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could impact the region’s children.
The event, A Moral Call to Action to Protect People’s Access, is organized by Children’s Defense Fund-Texas, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Every Texan, and Texas Organizing Protect (TOP). Attendees will have the opportunity to share personal stories about how federal programs like Medicaid and SNAP have supported their families. Additionally, they will learn how to contact their elected representatives to express support for these essential programs and explore opportunities to engage in future advocacy efforts.
The event comes as federal lawmakers in Washington, D.C., debate a proposal to cut the federal budget by $880 billion. Some lawmakers hold concerns the measure could lead to a reduction in Medicaid and SNAP services. House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, addressed the issue on CBS News’ Face the Nation, two weeks ago, stating, “If we don’t make these changes, this program and the federal budget in general is not sustainable,” when asked whether Medicaid recipients might experience changes in how they access the program due to budget cuts.
CDF-Texas maintains if federal lawmakers follow through with cuts to Medicaid, it could pose severe consequences for the more than 485,000 children who rely on the service in Dallas and Tarrant counties, alone, according to the most recent data available from the Texas Health and Human Services Department. SNAP is a crucial anti-hunger tool in Texas too. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says more than 3.1 million Texans, or 1 in every 10 state residents, rely on the service.
As CDF-Texas State Director Dr. Brandy Taylor Dédé highlighted in an op-ed on Medicaid published in the Dallas Morning News earlier this year, the impact of these services on families in North Texas and across the state cannot be overstated.
“These programs represent a lifeline to so many families in North Texas,” she said. “Without swift action, countless children, seniors, and people with disabilities could lose access to the care and support they depend on. We invite families to join us for this important community event, which will provide vital information on how we work to stop these cuts from happening. Together, we can affect change and ensure our elected officials hear our concerns.”
Rev. Danielle Ayers serves as Pastor of Justice at Friendship-West. She said Monday’s event comes at a critical time.
“In a time where human rights and social safety nets are being eliminated or experiencing significantly less funding, faith communities must advocate for just public policy that protects critical social safety nets for the most vulnerable,” she said. “Medicaid and SNAP are essential services for many Americans and Texans. Women and children are the most vulnerable and feel the negative impact when programs are cut. We must continue to amplify the voices of those impacted and engage our elected officials.”