Food Bank Blasts Impending Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP

CHICOPEE — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is expressing outrage over last week’s passage of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid/MassHealth, which it calls “lifelines for millions of children, older adults, low-wage working people, veterans, and people with disabilities across the country.

“This bill is not just harmful policy; it’s a direct assault on the health, well-being, and economic stability of our communities,” the Food Bank stated, adding that, in Western Mass., one in six residents rely on SNAP to supplement their budget and put food on the table, primarily elders and children, while MassHealth is the primary source of healthcare for more than 235,000 people.

“These cuts — the largest in our nation’s history — will not only deprive people of food and healthcare. They will also strip tens of millions of dollars from our local food economy — dollars that sustain farms, grocery stores, food producers, and small businesses throughout Western Massachusetts,” it added. “SNAP benefits alone inject more than $35 million into our region every month. When those dollars disappear, farms shut down. Grocers lay off staff. Food businesses downsize. And more people — now unemployed or underpaid — are pushed into poverty and food insecurity.”

The Food Bank noted that these cuts will not take effect immediately; cuts to Medicaid are expected to take place in November, while cuts to SNAP benefits are scheduled to take effect in October 2026.

“Until then, we encourage people to continue to utilize these benefits. If you have questions about SNAP, our team is here to help,” it concluded. “Please join us in the weeks and months ahead as we navigate the next steps for legislative priorities related to the Farm Bill, federal commodities funding, and preparing for potential additional budget reconciliation legislation that could emerge in Congress.”