Missouri SNAP beneficiary concerned about losing benefits under U.S. budget bill
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Tens of thousands of Missourians could lose all or some of their food and health assistance if President Trump’s budget bill is ed.
The U.S. Senate could soon vote on President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” It promises to secure the southern border and provide some tax cuts, but it could also remove hundreds of thousands of Americans from SNAP and Medicaid benefits.
In a statement Friday, Sen. Eric Schmitt hinted at voting in favor of the bill.
“I look forward to the Senate taking up this bill to help deliver tax cuts for hard-working Americans, secure our Southern border, and help protect our nation from the next century of national security threats,” Schmitt said. “As President Trump stated on his first day in office, the ‘Golden Age of America’ is here, and I am looking forward to doing my part to achieve that vision by getting this generational legislation to the President’s desk.”
As it stands, tens of thousands of Missourians could lose some or all of their SNAP and Medicaid benefits under a budget bill currently making its way through the U.S. Senate.
Missourians like Matt Kimberlin, the Springfield resident who works only part time, caring for his disabled fiancée.
Two weeks ago, Sen. Josh Hawley went on record saying he wants to protect Medicaid for working families, and earlier this year, he said he won’t vote for anything that cuts Medicaid.
He can’t work full time because of his autoimmune disease, and would suffer without the help of SNAP and Medicaid.
“I would have no possibility of being well, I wouldn’t even be able to take care of my fiancé, I would be in pain 24/7,” Kimerlin said.
About one in every 10 Missourians uses SNAP benefits, and 1.3 million Missourians use Medicaid. The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning nonpartisan think tank, estimates that 150,000 Missourians stand to lose some or all of their Medicaid or SNAP benefits under this bill.
When asked about the bill, Gov. Mike Kehoe said he’s been in talks with Sen. Josh Hawley about the effects it could have on Missourians.
“I would want the people who need it to get it, and the people who don’t qualify for it but are getting it in whatever manner to maybe be cleaned up, that’s the intent of the House bill,” Kehoe said.
Food banks could have more mouths to feed if people lose their SNAP benefits. Katie Adkins with the Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri said they’re already seeing an increase in people asking for help. The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri serves about 100,000 Missourians across 32 counties.
“We’re already seeing need increase, additional need would definitely create additional challenges for us,” Adkins said.
Kimberlin is calling on his elected leaders to think of Missourians like himself when they cast their votes.
“I believe in my heart of hearts that Missourians, we take care of our own,” Kimberlin said. “There’s nothing kind about what’s happening right now.”
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