Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare threaten vital services for hundreds of thousands of Alabamians, sparking bipartisan alarm and urgent calls for action.
SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama is standing at a dangerous crossroads. For decades, federal safety net programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare have served as lifelines for millions of Alabamians — children, seniors, working parents, veterans, and people with disabilities. These programs haven’t just supported individual families; they’ve kept rural hospitals open, stocked local grocery stores, and strengthened entire communities.
But those lifelines are now under threat.
With Congress advancing sweeping budget proposals that slash federal funding for healthcare and nutrition assistance, and state leaders yet to commit to covering the massive costs that would shift to the state, Alabama could soon face a crisis of historic proportions. For the nearly 1 million residents on Medicaid and 800,000 relying on SNAP, the stakes are immediate and personal: the potential loss of food, medical care, and economic stability.
“We’re not just talking about political disagreements,” said Dr. Cynthia Brantley of Alabama Voices for Wellness. “We’re talking about gutting programs that are literally keeping people alive.”
As pressure mounts in Washington and Montgomery, an unlikely coalition — from grassroots organizers to Senator Tommy Tuberville, now eyeing a gubernatorial bid — is warning that if these proposals move forward, the impact on Alabama’s families, healthcare system, and economy could be catastrophic.
A Crosshairs on SNAP: Hunger at Stake
In a razor-thin 215–214 vote on May 22, the U.S. House approved a budget bill that would force states to shoulder a portion of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) costs — a program fully funded by the federal government for decades.
An Alabama Arise-led coalition, joined by 49 partner organizations, issued a public letter to Governor Kay Ivey and state officials, warning of devastating consequences:
“The SNAP cuts being considered would increase hunger for every one of these Alabamians and would transfer significant financial obligations from the federal government to Alabama,” the letter stated ALReporter.com.
The impact:
•$258 million in direct benefit costs
•$35 million in annual administrative expenses
•800,000 residents at risk, including:
•500,000 families with children
•300,000 families with seniors or disabled individuals
•24,000 veterans
The cost — nearly $293 million — would exceed Alabama’s entire 2026 education budget for either UA or Auburn.
“A reduction or loss of SNAP benefits is a threat to our economy and the local communities where we all live and shop,” the coalition emphasized.
Tuberville: ‘Just Don’t Bankrupt Us’
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), a vocal supporter of fiscal restraint, has joined critics of the SNAP cost shift and Medicaid cuts.
“Just don’t bankrupt us,” he told the Washington Examiner. “We can’t start a federal program and then say, ‘Oh, let’s send it back to the states and let them take a big hunk of it.’” (ALReporter.com)
He echoed concern on WBRC:
“Everybody in state government is going to be concerned about it. I don’t know whether we can afford it or not.”
While backing reforms to reduce fraud:
“SNAP is a good program — but we need to reform it,” Tuberville said. “We should be taking care of people that actually need help to get back on their feet and get a job.”
Yet even he concedes shifting billions in federal obligations to Alabama is unsustainable.
Medicaid in the Crosshairs Too
The stakes are just as high for Medicaid, which covers:
• Over 1 million Alabamians
• 45% of children
• Nearly half of all births
• 68% of nursing home residents
According to a Families USA report:
• Alabama would lose $3.46 billion in Medicaid funds
• Nearly 20,000 healthcare jobs would be eliminated
• 100,000+ Alabamians have already lost coverage since COVID protections expired
“The money we use for Medicaid — you start cutting that out, we’ve got big problems,” Tuberville warned in a Senate hearing (Yellowhammer News).
Sewell and Figures Propose ‘Bridge to Medicaid Act’
To fill the coverage gap, Reps. Terri Sewell and Shomari Figures introduced the Bridge to Medicaid Act — legislation that would temporarily extend Affordable Care Act subsidies to 100,000 uninsured Alabamians in non-expansion states.
“If the State of Alabama won’t expand access to health care, we in the federal government must take action,” said Sewell (ALReporter.com).
Figures noted it’s about “meeting people where they are,” while Sewell underscored that 45% of Alabama’s children and 68% of nursing home residents rely on Medicaid.
“To rip health care away from millions of Americans in order to give tax cuts to the very wealthy is unconscionable,” Sewell said (sewell.house.gov).
The Economic Fallout
The programs under threat don’t just serve individuals — they support the state’s entire economic infrastructure:
• SNAP supports 1 in 7 residents
• Over 5,000 retailers rely on SNAP spending
• Every $1 in SNAP generates $1.50 in economic activity
“Deep SNAP cuts could force layoffs or closures at grocery stores and other retailers across our state,” Alabama Arise warned.
Many experts note the budget cuts are being proposed to offset tax extensions for the wealthiest 2%, passed under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
A Plea for Action
Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) highlighted the personal stories of constituents who rely on Medicaid:
“These people are scared, and we know that Alabama has a bare bone, minimal Medicaid. So, to the extent that we’re cutting it, it’s not as if the state’s going to take up the slack.” aldailynews.com
Robyn Hyden, Executive Director of Alabama Arise, underscored the foundational role of Medicaid in the state’s healthcare system:
“It’s hard to overstate how foundational Medicaid is to our entire healthcare infrastructure. So even if you do not receive Medicaid, it’s critical to note that Medicaid covers half of all kids in our state.” (aldailynews.com).
Additionally, a coalition of over 100 Alabama organizations expressed their concerns in a letter to Congress: “We write to request respectfully that, in your deliberations about federal budget and tax policy, you ensure that Congress protects the health and nutrition safety net that keeps so many Alabama children fed and healthy and that helps so many Alabamians make ends meet.”
