At Bread for the City, we see firsthand how Medicaid is a lifeline for thousands of Washington, DC residents living with low incomes. The recently proposed cuts to Medicaid, including work requirements and additional administrative barriers, would be devastating to the communities we serve. These changes would strip coverage from an estimated 160,000 adults in DC, burden our already overstretched healthcare system, and place an unsustainable financial strain on the District.

On February 25, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution that directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to identify $880 billion in spending reductions. This move all but guarantees drastic Medicaid cuts, which would disproportionately impact families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for essential healthcare.

Medicaid provides critical access to primary care, chronic disease management, maternal health services, and mental health support. Without it, our clients would face worsening health disparities, more frequent emergency room visits, and increased medical debt. Additionally, new work requirements threaten coverage for those who already struggle with barriers to employment, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers.

If enacted, these cuts will endanger lives and impose an unsustainable financial burden on local safety net providers like Bread for the City, compounding federal funding reductions and workforce cuts already underway.

DC’s public health system would be forced to absorb billions in additional costs, making it harder for us to meet the growing needs of our community.

Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. We urge Congress to reject these harmful policies and protect Medicaid funding to ensure that every DC resident can access the care they deserve. Bread for the City will continue to advocate and educate alongside our partners and clients for policies that prioritize equity, dignity, and the well-being of our community.

Before the budget resolution becomes law, you have the power to contact your representatives and tell Congress how you feel. Learn how to start here. Only together can we work to save Medicaid for the tens of thousands of Washingtonians who depend on it.