The Republicans’ harmful megabill, signed into law this past summer, makes significant cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other programs that help families meet basic needs. The legislation includes some of the largest proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in history.

These changes would reshape health care and nutrition assistance across Vermont. An estimated 18,000 residents could lose health coverage due to cuts and the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits. Another 14,000 people are expected to lose Medicaid coverage. About 6,000 residents may lose all or part of their SNAP benefits.

New national data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ SNAP Tracker confirms that the harm to Vermont residents is part of a broader, accelerating trend. Nationwide, SNAP participation fell by 2.5 million people — a 6 percent drop — between the megabill’s July 2025 enactment and December 2025, even as unemployment held largely steady, meaning reduced need cannot explain the decline. In Vermont, SNAP participation changed by -4%, from 63,852 enrolled in July 2025 to 61,272 in December 2025.

The harmful megabill reduces health care and food assistance while providing tax breaks to higher-income households. Instead of cutting services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, lawmakers should ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and invest in programs that help families afford essentials like food and health care. Additionally, the House Republicans bills propose further cuts, including reductions to housing assistance funding that could affect families’ ability to maintain stable housing.

We urge Members of Congress to protect the millions who rely on these essential services by extending enhanced premium tax credits to prevent over 20 million Americans with Affordable Care Act health plans from seeing their premium costs skyrocket and opposing funding bills that further cut basic needs programs.