Federal

Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Will Cut Jobs 

In February of 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution that requires devastating Medicaid cuts and cuts to the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP). Such cuts would cut off hundreds of thousands of Arizonans from vital services and would impact Arizona’s overall economy. Especially at this time when families are already struggling to afford a roof over their heads and a trip to the grocery store, our federal lawmakers should protect, not cut essential health services or cause loss of jobs in our state.

A new report from Commonwealth Fund quantifies the job loss consequences that will come with proposed cuts to Medicaid/AHCCCS coverage and SNAP.  

Congress can still avoid the cuts they’ve proposed, but if they go through with it, it is estimated that the Medicaid cuts will lead to a loss of 24,100 jobs, and cuts to SNAP would lead to a loss of 2,400 jobs in Arizona. These estimated losses are for 2026.

When considering cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, we first think of the children, families, seniors, and individuals who will lose their lifeline to health care or food assistance. Beyond that, it is also important to think of the impact that this hit to essential services would have on working people in Arizona and our overall economy. 

Source: Leighton Ku et al., How Potential Federal Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Could Trigger the Loss of a Million-Plus Jobs, Reduced Economic Activity, and Less State Revenue (Commonwealth Fund, Mar. 2025). https://doi.org/10.26099/x2q9-7027

Posted By Children's Action Alliance

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