Blog

At WithinReach, we work every day to ensure that families across Washington can access the support they need to be healthy and thrive. We believe in systems that are equitable, efficient, and rooted in the lived experiences of the people they serve. That’s why we are deeply concerned about the widespread and harmful impact of the Big Beautiful Bill, which includes significant cuts to both SNAP and Medicaid—two of the most critical safety net programs for families in our state. 

Medicaid Cuts: Threatening Health Care Access for 250,000 Washingtonians  

The bill’s sweeping Medicaid reductions threaten the health care security of families statewide. An estimated 250,000 Washington residents could lose Apple Health (Medicaid) coverage, including children, pregnant people, individuals with disabilities, and older adults. For many, Medicaid is the only pathway to preventive care, chronic disease management, and mental health services. 

These cuts will also reverberate across our health care system, especially in rural communities where hospitals and clinics rely on Medicaid reimbursement to stay open. Without that financial support, entire regions may lose access to critical services—emergency care, maternal health, behavioral health—which are already stretched thin. 

Cuts to SNAP and SNAP-Ed: Undermining Nutrition Security  

The elimination of funding for SNAP-Ed, the nutrition education arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), removes a vital tool for promoting food security and health equity. SNAP-Ed has helped families build skills in meal planning, stretching food budgets, and making culturally relevant, healthy food choices. The loss of this program disproportionately impacts low-income families, immigrants, and communities of color—particularly those already navigating multiple barriers to food access. 

Additionally, any reductions to SNAP benefits themselves put thousands of Washington families at immediate risk of hunger. With food costs remaining high and many families still recovering from the economic impact of the pandemic, cuts to this foundational program are not just ill-timed—they are dangerous. 

Why This Matters  

SNAP and Medicaid are not optional or “extra” services—they are lifelines. They help families meet their most basic needs: food, health care, stability. Cuts to these programs represent a disinvestment in the future of our state and the well-being of those who call it home. 

WithinReach’s Commitment  

We will continue to support families through connection, advocacy, and innovation. But the truth is, no single organization can replace what these public systems provide. We urge policymakers to recognize the real human cost of these decisions and to work toward policies that support—not strip away—health and well-being. 

We stand ready to lift up the voices of families most impacted, partner across sectors, and reimagine systems that truly meet the needs of our communities.