United Way of San Joaquin County (UWSJC) and many of our nonprofit partners believe in dignity for all. We don’t play politics. It’s simple, at UWSJC our mission has been steadfast for close to a century in being rooted in support of all county residents. We want all families and individuals to thrive. No matter the income or background-every child should never have to go to bed hungry. Seniors must always have access to the care they need, and every family must have a shot at stability, health and hope.
At this moment in time, federal lawmakers are advancing a legislation called the “Big Beautiful Bill .” But behind the flashy and deceptive name is a deeply concerning reality. The bill jettisons sweeping cuts to our most marginalized families, it limits access to food for children, access to medicine for Seniors and puts our entire healthcare and human services ecosystem at risk.
The negative consequences of this bill are staggering. According to the Congressional Budget Office, more than 13 million people across our country could lose health coverage if this bill becomes law. Researchers at Yale and the University of Pennsylvania estimate that over 51,000 additional people could die annually as a result of the proposed cuts.
In California more than 3.8 million families struggle to meet basic needs, in San Joaquin, alone over:
§ 315,364 residents who rely on Medicaid for health care
§ 22,000 households receive SNAP support for their children
§ 159,790 families have benefited from the child or earned income tax credits.
The bill, HR-1 would gut these essential programs. Leaving families exposed and communities scrambling to fill the gap. We need to loudly declare the impact this bill will have on those who depend on those services being proposed to be eliminated.
Imagine what this means locally. Our county nonprofits, the backbone of our neighborhoods, will equally bear the burden in assisting individuals who might experience this loss of essential services. If this bill passes, we will see a dramatic surge in families seeking emergency assistance for food, rent and medical care. Current legislation has already cut federal funding to hundreds of our nonprofits in SJC for claiming their commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or cut off FEMA funds which provided millions of emergency shelter and food resources to our shelters and food banks.
Here’s the truth. When someone walks into a nonprofit, we don’t ask about political affiliation. We ask how we can help. We direct them to the Family Resource Center’s 211 phone lines for immediate direction on needed services, to our Emergency Food Bank for food and nutritional guidance, to our local shelters like Gospel Center Rescue Mission, St. Mary’s Community Resources, PREVAIl, Haven of Peace or El Concilio for housing and counseling support.
Politics never should undermine our ability to graciously and effectively help those with less. And our nonprofits must be able to operate successfully so our communities can thrive.
Our actions are simple. We need our congressional representatives to hear from us. I urge every reader and leader to call or email their congressional representative and Senators today and urge them to reject this bill.
Find your representative at https:/www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member and tell them:
“I am concerned this bill will harm my neighbors, my family and our community. These cuts are too deep, happening too fast. Without the will to rewrite this wrong, the results of the cuts are too dangerous and life threatening.” This bill should not be passed.
United Way of San Joaquin County knows that our community deserves better. No child should go hungry, no senior should have limited access to medications, our farm workers should not be in fear of homelessness for lack of support. We deserve better than this. I encourage everyone to be loud, and boldly persistent with their conviction to defeat this catastrophic bill.
Most importantly lead with your heart -especially for those whose voices are often ignored.