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Action
Please contact your Senators and ask them to vote NO on the “Big Beautiful Bill” also known as the Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) Help protect the wellbeing of Alaska’s children and families.
Act NOW - Call Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski’s offices at (202) 224-3121
“Big Beautiful Bill” Key Points
Medicaid
Work Reporting Requirements for Parents of Minors
Parents of kids 14 and older will be required to prove they are working in order to qualify for Medicaid. With recent cuts to afterschool programs, this could reduce youth supervision and parent involvement during critical years.
Increased Cost and Paperwork for Families
Many policies in this bill such as increased co-pays, decrease in the time care is covered while the application is being processed and work reporting requirements will impact all families on Medicaid.
Stress on Our Healthcare Infrastructures
The bill would cut $800 billion from Medicaid, the largest cut in its history. These cuts would result in many Alaskans losing coverage, leading to an increase in uncompensated care. This cost-shifting to providers would lead to less healthcare access for all Alaskans.
SNAP
Work Requirements for Caregivers of Children
Parents, grandparents, or caregivers of kids 10 and older must prove they’re working 20 hours a week to qualify for SNAP. Grandparents and parents who don’t work in order to care for children will no longer be eligible for SNAP benefits.
Major Cost-Shifting to State Government
The bill requires state cost-sharing for the first time ever in the SNAP program. This additional cost to the State would create additional burdens on the state budget.
TAX CREDITS
Fails to Support Low-Income Families
While the bill makes the child tax credit permanent, it leaves behind Alaska’s lowest income families. Those that do not make enough money will not have access to the full child tax credit.
Higher Premiums for Those Purchasing Own Coverage
This bill fails to extend enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs) for those who purchase their own insurance. Nearly all marketplace enrollees will have to pay higher premiums.
What’s in the “Big Beautiful Bill”? - Video Series
The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a is a budget reconciliation bill that passed the House on May 22nd and is currently in the Senate. Learn how this bill will impact Alaska’s children and families in terms of changes to programs that support them such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), Medicaid, and Child Tax Credit. Check out this short series unpacking the bill’s impact and stay informed!
Impacts to SNAP
General impacts to Alaska’s children and families.
Impacts to Medicaid
Overall impacts to SNAP, Medicaid, and Child Tax Credit
Impacts to Child Tax Credit
How to Advocate for Children, Youth, and Families
It's critically important for Alaska's congressional delegation to hear from Alaskans about how their votes will impact them and their families! Contact your Congress members by phone or email message.
Senator Lisa Murkowski
By phone: (202) 224 - 6665
By email: Email Lisa
Senator Dan Sullivan
By phone: (202) 224 - 3004
By email: Email Dan
Representative Nick Begich
By phone: (202) 225 - 5765
By email: Email Nick
FAQs
WORK REQUIREMENTS
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The current version of the Reconciliation Bill being considered by the Senate will require all individuals age 19-64 who are part of the Medicaid expansion population to prove they are working 80 hours a month to receive DenaliCare/Medicaid, including caregivers of children over 14. Additionally, caregivers of kids 10 and older must prove they are working 20 hours a week to receive SNAP benefits.
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Work requirements can sound reasonable, but they often don't account for people who want to work but face barriers, like caregiving duties, lack of childcare, seasonal work, or living in rural areas. Data from states like Arkansas show that many people lost coverage due to paperwork, not because they refused to work. The Congressional Budget Office estimates 4.8 million more people would become uninsured, mainly due to additional red tape and paperwork. Complex rules, frequent reporting, and difficult verification systems will stop many from getting benefits they are still eligible for.
A Closer Look at the Medicaid Work Requirement Provisions in the “Big Beautiful Bill” | KFF
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In theory, yes. But in practice, people often lose coverage due to technical issues with reporting or difficulty accessing documentation. This creates a red-tape barrier, especially in rural or under-resourced communities.
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Programs like SNAP and Medicaid help families experiencing financial insecurity afford food and healthcare while they get back on their feet. When individuals lose health insurance coverage, they often delay seeking care for health needs. When issues become too large to manage, they turn to local hospitals which can lead to overcrowded emergency departments, longer wait times, increased costs for care, and increasing prices for everyone. SNAP has also been linked with lower health care costs and improved health outcomes, especially for struggling families.
CHILD TAX CREDIT
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A refundable credit means families with little, or no tax liability still receive the benefit, helping the lowest-income households. If it’s not refundable, tens of thousands of Alaska’s children, especially those in low-wage homes, get nothing, even though they may need it the most.
What is the difference between refundable and nonrefundable credits? | Tax Policy Center
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Multiple studies have shown that the expanded Child Tax Credit in 2021 lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty. It helps families pay for basics like food, diapers, utilities, and housing, creating stability during a child’s early years.
The Impact of the 2021 Expanded Child Tax Credit on Child Poverty (census.gov)
INCREASED COSTS
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Yes. For the first time, states like Alaska would be required to cost-share SNAP, increasing pressure on already tight state budgets. In the current Senate version, the cost-share for Alaska could be as high at $38 million. The bill also fails to extend premium tax credits for marketplace insurance coverage, which will result in higher insurance premiums for families. And the loss of coverage caused by additional red tape will result in more uncompensated care, care provided but not covered by a payer source, increasing costs for health care providers and hospital systems.
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It increases copayments for certain Medicaid populations and shortens retroactive coverage, which means families might face large out-of-pocket bills if they’re still waiting for Medicaid to be approved. Even those exempt from work requirements would still need to submit regular reports, creating more paperwork and delays in care. And the failure to extend the premium tax credits for health insurance purchased on the marketplace will result in higher premiums for families.
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Families would face new reporting rules, certifications, and paperwork to keep accessing SNAP, Medicaid, or tax credits, even if they’re already exempt from the work requirement. This increases administrative burdens and delays access to services.
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Read sectionals on the bill from U.S. Senate Committees. Sectionals break down the bill by item.
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Call or email your congressmember to share how their vote on this bill impacts you and your family.
Spread awareness and share accurate information