“Big Beautiful Bill” Could Slash Billions From Aid Programs, Impacting Thousands in South Florida
A controversial federal spending proposal known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) is making its way through the U.S. Senate, and its implications could be especially harsh for South Florida’s most vulnerable communities.
Backed by President Donald Trump and introduced in the House by Texas Rep. Jodey Arrington, the bill passed the House on May 22 and proposes major cuts to key aid programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare—programs that serve millions across Florida, including children, seniors, and low-income families.
What’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill”
According to the Florida Policy Institute, the bill includes:
- $700+ billion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade
- $300 billion in cuts to SNAP (food assistance), including $1.6 billion in Florida alone
- Reductions that could strip 423,000 Floridians of food benefits by 2028
- An estimated 990,000 Floridians losing health coverage, contributing to a 3%+ increase in the uninsured rate
A White House statement claims the reallocated funding will support immigration enforcement and deportation efforts, citing the need to manage what it describes as “millions of illegal aliens” who entered in recent years.
Local Leaders Sound the Alarm
Laura Kelley, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party, calls the OBBB a “tax break for the wealthy,” warning that it would deepen the region’s housing, insurance, and cost-of-living crises.
Rachel Prestipino, VP of policy and community engagement at Catalyst Miami, says the proposed changes represent the largest cuts ever to Medicaid and SNAP.
“These cuts would devastate families already living paycheck to paycheck,” Prestipino says. “Children, seniors, and those experiencing homelessness would be hit the hardest.”
Florida has over 120,000 low-income seniors enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, making it the state with the highest enrollment nationwide. The OBBB would reduce funding for that program too.
Prestipino warns that the fallout could overwhelm hospitals, raise healthcare costs, and lower the quality of care, particularly as uninsured rates rise. On top of that, federal energy aid reductions could pose a life-threatening risk during Florida’s sweltering summer.
“Having AC is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. People literally die from heatstroke, especially seniors and those with medical conditions,” she adds.
What’s Next for the Bill?
As the Senate considers the OBBB, South Florida advocacy groups are calling on residents to contact their representatives, protest, and raise awareness. Kelley encourages locals to get involved through grassroots efforts like the recent ‘No Kings’ demonstrations, aimed at resisting authoritarian-style policy shifts.
With potential impacts reaching millions in the state, this bill could reshape Florida’s social safety net for years to come.
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