(StatePoint) Among the many implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law this past July 4, are cuts to health and nutrition benefits for millions of Americans, which could have significant negative implications for babies and children, according to the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT).
“This far-reaching legislation will have effects on every aspect of American society -- from schools to businesses to hospitals to food pantries,” says Sadaf Knight, CEO, Florida Policy Institute. “Most babies born this year will lose thousands of dollars over their lifetimes due to these combined factors, and the impact will grow for future generations.”
According to experts at the NCIT, along with other advocates and analysts, here are some of the act’s expected impacts on the nation’s youngest and most vulnerable:
Families with babies will lose ground: The act’s tax credits are designed to benefit those who are more affluent, say experts, and many families will see a net loss as a result. Overall, the resource gap will widen between the 36% of babies and toddlers living in families with low income and those in more affluent families, according to the bipartisan First Focus on Children advocacy organization.
Household budgets will be reduced: According to the Congressional Budget Office, cuts to Medicaid will cause as many as 10 million people to lose their health insurance by 2034. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will put more than 7 million at risk of losing their benefits. Because eligibility for services is often linked, families are also at risk of losing their Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits and their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. These programs can provide a foundation for households to thrive. Their losses will adversely impact overall household finances, caregiver and baby health, and parents’ ability to provide the best possible care.
Economic fall-out could mean cuts to services: Provisions requiring increased state cost-sharing for SNAP, combined with restricted financing measures for Medicaid, will leave a state budget gap of over $440 billion over 10 years. Further economic fall-out might amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in losses for states. The pressure to balance state budgets could mean dropping optional Medicaid services, reducing or eliminating state participation in SNAP, or cutting other early childhood services, such as early care and learning.
To learn more about how public policy is impacting American families, and to access tools to become an advocate for infants and toddlers, visit ncit.org/take-action.
“When babies lose access to health care, nutrition, and other essential supports, the cost is carried by all of us. These services aren’t luxuries. If we want our communities and our economy to thrive, we have to make sure that every baby has what they need in their earliest years,” says Biz Harris, Executive Director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance,” says Biz Harris, Executive Director of the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance.
Photo Credit: (c) YouraPechkin / iStock via Getty Images Plus
