Krista Davidson, VHF Volunteer and Advocate
In May, the House passed the budget reconciliation bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by a one-vote majority of 215-214. The bill is currently undergoing changes in the Senate. If it receives enough votes, the bill will return to the House for approval. If there are no changes in the House, it will go to President Trump where he will either veto it or sign it.
The legislation is intended to extend President Trump’s tax cuts from 2017. Congress.gov provides a summary of the thousand-page bill, which proposes a range of decreases and increases in funding for many federal agencies and programs to support the cuts, including to the USDA, SNAP, the Department of Education, the Department of Defense, and Medicaid. In addition, many with insurance will likely see rates go up as early as the beginning of the year if the bill passes as is. Most concerning is the report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which indicates that the changes to Medicaid will result in nearly 8 million Americans losing their health insurance. In January, during Richmond Days, we were reminded that federal decision could impact Virginia in a very big way.
Healthcare for All Virginians (HAV) Coalition, which VHF is a member of, shared this Virginia data at their June 3, 2025, meeting:
- Applying national KFF (formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation) estimates, roughly 210,000 people in Virginia could lose coverage and an additional 40,000 could lose coverage due to the failure to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.
- Due to new and onerous work reporting requirements in Virginia, up to 480,000 people would be impacted and at risk of losing coverage.
- Over 147,000 people would have to pay new out-of-pocket costs to access certain healthcare services.
- This new provision could cost a family of 3 just above the federal poverty limit (101% of FPL =$26,916) up to $1,345 a year.
Ways you can get involved and learn more:
- Vote in the Virginia primary elections on June 17, 2025 go here to learn more. Get a plan and review your ballot here and the Virginia voter pocket guide here.
- Read about the potential impacts of the cuts outlined in the spending bill in the Cardinal News article “4 things Virginians need to know about the Medicaid decisions the U.S. House just made.”
- Learn more about the health provisions of the bill here and what The Commonwealth Institute is doing to advocate for healthcare here.
- Make your voice heard, calling your congressperson is the most effective way to influence policy. Visit the 5 Calls website the easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact.
- Follow VHF on social media – Facebook AND Instagram
