DAVENPORT, Iowa — Food access for thousands of Iowa families could be at risk if Congress passes proposed cuts to key federal programs. The bill would reduce funding for SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare — programs that help millions of Americans meet basic needs like food and medical care.
For many families, the timing could not be worse. Summer often brings higher household expenses, and the cost of food, housing, and health care remains out of reach for millions across the country.
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps 42 million people nationwide, including children, seniors, and working families. In Iowa, about 260,000 families rely on SNAP benefits. Another 2 million families in Illinois also depend on the program, according to the River Bend Food Bank.
SNAP doesn’t just provide food; it also boosts the economy. Every dollar in SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity. If the proposed cuts pass, it could mean the loss of enough food to provide 9.5 billion meals each year. To compare, the entire Feeding America network — including food banks and pantries like the Food Bank of Iowa, River Bend Food Bank, and others — provided 6 billion meals last year.
Food insecurity is already rising. Feeding America data shows that 13.2% of people in the River Bend Food Bank’s service area are food insecure — the highest level in five years. This is driven by low wages, unemployment, and the rising cost of essentials such as health care, child care, utilities, housing, and food.
More Than SNAP at Risk
The bill also proposes major cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid could face a $716 billion reduction — the largest in its history. This could leave millions without health insurance and push an estimated 780,000 people into food insecurity. Medicare could lose $500 billion in funding, making it harder for older adults and people with disabilities to access needed medical care.
Local and national hunger relief groups warn that these cuts could overwhelm food banks and charities already struggling to meet rising demand.
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