Seeking Solutions That Don’t Sacrifice Support

In southeastern Idaho, we believe in dignity for all. Our shared values guide us toward communities where every child can go to bed full, our seniors can access the care they need, and families, regardless of income, have a fair shot at stability. At United Way of Southeastern Idaho, we’ve worked for more than 65 years to help families meet their basic needs and build pathways out of poverty.

These values are what prompt us to raise concerns about H.R.1, the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” currently being debated in Congress. While we support responsible governance and thoughtful budget management, we’re worried that some of the proposed changes could result in harmful consequences for our most vulnerable neighbors, especially children, seniors, and working families who already face challenges in meeting their basic needs.

Researchers in public and private universities, non-government organizations, and even a federal U.S. agency report that the bill, in its current form, could lead to reductions in essential programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and the Child Tax Credit. These programs are vital lifelines for many southeastern Idaho residents.

According to the United for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE), report, 41% of Idaho households already struggle to meet basic needs, despite working (www.unitedforalice.org/idaho). These families are doing everything right but still can’t get ahead. Programs like SNAP and Medicaid aren’t just safety nets; they’re foundational to preventing hunger, homelessness, and preventable health crises.

Locally, the numbers speak volumes:

• Over 38,000 southeastern Idaho residents rely on Medicaid for health care.
• More than 15,000 receive nutritional support through SNAP.
• Nearly 200,000 working Idaho families benefit from tax credits like the Child and Earned Income Tax Credits.

While the stated goals of H.R.1 include fiscal responsibility, we encourage Congress to ensure those goals are not pursued at the expense of our neighbors’ health and well-being. According to the Congressional Budget Office, as many as 13.7 million Americans could lose health coverage under the proposed changes. Research also suggests these cuts could be associated with tens of thousands of preventable deaths annually, numbers that are deeply concerning.

Instead of broad reductions that impact essential services, we ask our leaders to take a more measured approach, one that protects the well-being of families while still striving for fiscal balance. We know that:

• SNAP helps ensure children are nourished and ready to learn.
• Medicaid helps our seniors age with dignity and keeps working adults healthy enough to stay employed.
• Tax credits help families cover the rising cost of essentials like childcare, transportation, and school supplies

If the current version of H.R.1 moves forward, our organization expects a sharp increase in emergency requests for food, rent, and health care assistance. Our safety net is already under pressure, and we fear it may not hold.

Budget bills reflect our collective priorities. As it stands, H.R.1 may unintentionally undermine the very stability and opportunity we aim to uphold in Southeastern Idaho. We respectfully urge our elected officials to revisit this legislation and consider alternatives that preserve access to critical supports while still addressing long-term budget concerns.

We encourage every reader to make your voice heard. Contact your Congressional Representatives and Senators to let them know:

“Please protect the programs that help my community thrive. I support thoughtful reforms that don’t result in harmful reductions to SNAP, Medicaid, or tax credits that working families rely on.”

At UWSEI, we remain committed to solutions that are rooted in compassion, economic opportunity, and community strength. Together, we can ensure Southeastern Idaho remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.