Millions of people could lose access to food and healthcare under federal budget

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The so called “Big Beautiful Bill” is now the law of the land. The federal budget will cut funding for social services like SNAP benefits and Medicaid while also cutting taxes for some Americans. Millions of people across the Carolinas could soon lose healthcare and food assistance under the latest federal budget.

“SNAP allows that cushion to be able to have the ability to pay for transportation and school and all these other things and not have to worry about whether or not I’m going to eat or my family’s going to eat tonight,” Sammy Montoya living in Charlotte said.

The governor’s office says 1.4 million people in North Carolina could lose SNAP benefits and 500,000 people could lose healthcare. One woman from Ukraine told WCCB she can’t afford her son’s doctor visits without Medicaid.

“Really important because I [am] alone, I work really much and this is very important and very big help for me,” Victoria Carroll, living in Charlotte said.

SNAP and Medicaid are federally funded, but beginning in 2028 states would be required to cover at least 5% of the cost.

North Carolina Senator Caleb Theodros from District 41 says local governments will likely try to pick up some of the slack.

“What position is that going to put us in?,” Senator Theodros said. “This is not being thought through by Republican leadership and it’s something that we Democrats have continued to push for so we’re going to have to get creative.”

Senator Theodros says the General Assembly would still have the power in a budget battle.

“We’ve seen that the governor has pushed to allow for additional funds, especially just dispersed from different departments. So DHHS has been extremely aggressive in trying to help wherever they can. But again, all of these entities are funded by the General Assembly,” Senator Theodros said.

Some people say costs must decrease or wages must increase so people aren’t left high and dry.

“It’s not sustainable for the country. So yeah, we we need somebody to step up and do something,” Sammy Montoya said.

The new budget also tightens work requirements for social services. People up to age 64 would have to work 80 hours a month to qualify for SNAP and Medicaid. States have until January 2027 to enforce the new requirements.