Federal reform bill could threaten food, healthcare access for Mississippi ALICE households

VICKSBURG, Miss. by Alyssa Lick (VDN) — Promising a future of fiscal responsibility and streamlined government spending, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has quickly become a centerpiece of legislative reform in Mississippi. But for many advocates and families across Warren County, the sweeping changes included in the bill signal a dangerous shift — one that could come at the expense of the state’s most vulnerable populations.

The reconciliation package restructures key federal programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF. While the bill’s sponsors tout it as a crackdown on fraud and inefficiency, critics warn that its hardline focus on work requirements and funding cuts ignores the realities of poverty in Mississippi — particularly for ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), which make up nearly half of Warren County.

Under the bill, able-bodied adults ages 19 to 64 must now work or participate in approved community engagement activities for at least 80 hours per month to maintain Medicaid eligibility. Those who fail to comply — or even fail to submit paperwork — could lose coverage entirely, along with eligibility for tax credits to purchase private insurance.

Additional provisions slash retroactive Medicaid coverage and increase premiums for individuals using marketplace insurance plans, affecting more than 273,000 Mississippi residents, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Local hospitals could also feel the strain. The bill freezes state provider taxes, which help fund Mississippi’s Medicaid program. Experts warn this could result in reduced reimbursement rates and fewer resources for rural healthcare providers, including those in Warren County. As reported by MPB, nearly one-third of Mississippi’s rural hospitals, 20 in total, are already at immediate risk of closure.

The bill’s reforms to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) add new cost burdens for states, requiring Mississippi to cover 5% of benefit payouts. As budgets tighten, states may be forced to narrow eligibility standards — a move that could leave thousands without food assistance.

The act also raises the work requirement age for able-bodied adults without dependents from 54 to 64 and extends those requirements to adults with children as young as seven.

“What happens to those children when their parent must work past school hours?” asked Tanya Williams, ALICE household member. “We don’t have enough after-school programs as it is, and federal cuts will only make that worse.”

Changes to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) include a 10% funding cut, elimination of the TANF contingency fund, and stricter enforcement of work requirements. Mississippi, already known for stringent TANF policies and low enrollment, could see further declines in access to basic cash assistance.

While lawmakers champion the One Big Beautiful Bill as a step toward efficiency, the ACLU of Mississippi and other advocates argue that the legislation may unintentionally widen poverty gaps and erode critical support systems.