Proposed Federal Cuts Threaten Support Programs for Women and Families

 

As conservative lawmakers prepare to take control of the White House and Congress next month, their sights are set on reducing federal programs that provide critical support for millions of women, including healthcare, food assistance, housing, and transportation.

Long championed by Republican legislators as a path to reducing government spending, these proposed cuts could have devastating consequences for women and families living in poverty. Advocates argue that the social safety net is already underfunded and warn of widespread harm if these measures move forward.

Three major federal initiatives are expected to face significant cuts or restructuring:

• Medicaid: The joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income individuals.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): A cash aid program that replaced traditional welfare.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Commonly referred to as food stamps, which helps low-income households purchase groceries.

While Republican leaders argue that these reforms are aimed at streamlining government and promoting individual responsibility, experts highlight the disproportionate impact on women, particularly women of color.

“Cuts to these programs will fall heavily on women,” said Elaine Waxman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy Center.

Women account for over half of SNAP beneficiaries under 65, and the program has been a lifeline for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing economic security during times of crisis. In 2022, more than 370,000 TANF recipients were women, compared to just 69,000 men.

Medicaid is another critical program for women, covering over 40% of births in the U.S. and providing essential postnatal care for 60 days after delivery. The program also supports nursing home care for 60% of residents, the majority of whom are women. Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have improved maternal and prenatal care, but these advances are now at risk.

Edwin Park, a research professor at Georgetown University, warned that proposed Medicaid cuts would leave states unable to fill funding gaps, leading to "draconian reductions in eligibility, benefits, and reimbursement rates." This could result in reduced access to healthcare for vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly.

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 outlines plans to overhaul safety-net programs, claiming that focusing on “family values” and encouraging marriage could reduce poverty. Critics, however, argue that this approach ignores systemic economic challenges and could trap women in unsafe situations.

A University of South Carolina study found that making divorce harder for pregnant women increased their risk of being killed by their partners, underscoring the dangers of linking economic stability to marital status.

Although Republicans have not finalized their proposals, past efforts provide insight into potential changes. Former President Donald Trump’s 2021 budget proposed a 30% reduction in SNAP funding over a decade, and conservative lawmakers have consistently pushed for stricter work requirements for SNAP and TANF recipients.

Advocates argue that such requirements often strip benefits without addressing employment barriers. “There is a misperception that people needing help are not working,” said Mei Powers of Martha’s Table, a nonprofit aid organization.

While Trump has promised to protect Social Security and Medicare, the looming extension of his 2017 tax reforms has heightened the federal deficit, increasing the likelihood of cuts to other social spending programs.

Christian Nunes, president of the National Organization for Women, expressed deep concern over the potential impact. “With this new administration … we are seeing so many policies and budget cuts that will harm the lives of women,” she said.

Experts and advocates warn that scaling back these programs would lead to long-term consequences, exacerbating poverty and inequality across the country.

"The effects will be widespread, devastating, and long-lasting," Nunes concluded.