Members of the US House of Representatives are meeting this week to discuss a legislative package that could significantly impact human rights in the United States if passed as currently written. The bill proposes changes in how the government raises and allocates funds, extending tax cuts favoring the wealthy while reducing federal support for public services crucial to rights, particularly health care.
Under international human rights law, everyone is entitled to health. The US government has a responsibility to ensure accessible and quality health care for all. However, this bill could make health care less available and affordable for millions.
Medicaid, which provides insurance to about 80 million low-income individuals, would be severely affected by these austerity measures. A report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) indicates that 7.6 million people might lose their insurance under this proposal, facing high drug prices and hospital costs. Black and Hispanic families would be disproportionately impacted.
The bill also targets Planned Parenthood by defunding it, potentially leading clinics to close or cease offering services like obstetric care. Furthermore, it seeks to end federal funding for gender-affirming care for youth on Medicaid and adults covered under Medicaid expansion via the Affordable Care Act.
Additionally, savings would be extracted from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), possibly causing over 3 million people to lose food assistance according to CBO estimates.
Environmental health funding would also face cuts. Programs aimed at reducing air pollution—linked to poor health outcomes—and subsidies promoting renewable energy sources are at risk despite their importance in addressing climate change threats.
These proposed reductions collectively pose risks to the health and lives of millions of Americans. Congressmembers are urged not to approve these cuts.
