Ratification would put a dent in many social programs
Last month, President Trump presented his proposed 2021 budget to Congress and the American people, proposing deep cuts to social programs. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) released a statement in response
“NASW is troubled by the administration’s proposed 2021 budget’s dreadful cuts to essential social safety net programs,” read the statement. “These cuts, if left intact, will distress the lives of millions of vulnerable groups such as elderly individuals who need long-term care and low to moderate-income individuals and families depend on safety net programs.”
Among other things, Trump’s proposed budget would:
- Cut $1 trillion in the Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) over a 10-year period.
- Eliminate ACA’s enhanced federal matching funding for the expansion of Medicaid coverage to low-income adults – resulting in the likelihood that 13 million people lose access to health care services
- Require all states to disallow Medicaid coverage for certain adult enrollees who do not meet work requirements – impacting millions of people.
- Sharply reduces the federal contribution to state Medicaid-funded behavioral health treatment programs that address the opioid epidemic.
- Cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $182 billion over 10 years, which represents nearly 30% of the FY 2020 SNAP allocation.
- Reduce Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by $20 billion over 10 years.
- Cut FY2021 funding for public housing to 43% below its 2020 level and eliminate housing vouchers for 160,000 low-income households.
- President Trump wants to eventually eliminate the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program, projecting $207 billion in savings over the next decade.
“These proposed 2021 budget cuts critical safety net programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and low-income housing assistance are unfathomable and will exacerbate the income inequality that is already growing at a historic rate,” the statement continued. “Moreover, households of color will disproportionately suffer if the President’s FY2021 budget comes to fruition.”
Undaunted, NASW chose to view the proposal as a starting point for formulating a budget that aligns with our country’s values and priorities. The group pledged to join with Congress to enact a budget that strengthens the social safety net.
SOURCE: NASW
