The Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Trump on July 4th specifies that refugees will become ineligible for Medicaid and SNAP next year. Even children will be likely to lose access to health insurance through The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). By definition, refugees are people forced to leave their country to escape persecution, war or natural disaster. The U.S. has been admitting refugees since early in the 20th century. The Displaced Persons Act of 1948 and The Refugee Act of 1980 formalized the process for refugee resettlement.
Congress and numerous Presidents have recognized the moral and strategic value of refugee resettlement. Refugees generally have a higher labor participation rate than the total U.S. population. However, many work at low paying jobs in retail, caretaking and other low paying jobs in the service industry. Therefore, low cost health insurance as provided by Medicaid and food assistance as provided by SNAP are essential to many refugees during their first decade in the U.S.
By cutting off food assistance and health insurance to refugees, the Trump administration and Republican members of congress are violating the intent of the decades old refugee program. We are one of several nations lending aid and mercy to this marginalized and mistreated group of individuals and families. Depriving them of nutritional support and access to healthcare is cruel and unwise.
Doug Weckstein
Bow