July 23, 2025
Earlier this month the president signed into law a divisive bill that negatively affects funding for Medicaid and food assistance programs and increases spending on immigration enforcement.
It is estimated that as many as 300,000 residents statewide may lose coverage from MassHealth or plans through the state health insurance marketplace. One controversial change is the implementation of a work requirement for Medicaid, which disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities, those who are caregivers, and/or individuals attending school, despite research showing that this type of policy is costly and inefficient.
The law also removes exemptions from a work requirement for people seeking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and removes eligibility for people with certain immigration statuses. A greater share of the administrative costs of this federal entitlement program will be pushed to the states, adding financial burden to state budgets.
The law increases funding for hiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and more detention sites, though immigration experts don't expect Massachusetts to see additional detention facilities.
An article from WBUR further explains the impacts of the bill on Massachusetts.