Big Beautiful Bill Cuts Threaten Millions on SNAP, Medicaid in NC, LA

President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' has sparked significant debate across multiple states, notably impacting programs like SNAP and Medicaid. In North Carolina, leaders warn that cuts to SNAP benefits could affect over a million people, leading to increased strain on food banks such as Nourish Up, which served 164,000 people in 2024 amid rising food prices and natural disasters. In Louisiana, Democrats criticize the bill for its $1 trillion Medicaid cuts over ten years and potential closures of rural hospitals, while Republicans defend the tax cuts and emphasize new work requirements for Medicaid recipients. Senator Bill Cassidy supports the work requirements, framing them as a societal expectation for receiving free healthcare, though other Louisiana politicians express concern that these changes could leave hundreds of thousands without coverage. Meanwhile, House Majority Speaker Steve Scalise, a Trump ally, highlights provisions in the bill that lift revenue caps on offshore energy funds, potentially directing hundreds of millions of dollars toward Louisiana's coastal restoration efforts. This complex legislation thus presents a mix of fiscal policy changes with significant social and economic consequences at the state level.