Google Gemini was used to research this piece. This Essay was posted on 11/4/2025.
The topic du jour is Donald Trump’s order to cut the SNAP payments because of the shutdown, supposedly. For the record, SNAP payments go to food-insecure families that have a demonstrated need. Trump refused to continue funding The SNAP program, but court orders and precedents apparently convinced Trump to cover 50% of the government subsidy. But this shutdown-related issue is more complicated.
The shutdown is having an effect on welfare programs. There are stoppages and delays in the SNAP program that helps food-insecure families. The courts are demanding that the SNAP program is funded out of emergency funding, and Trump will cut benefits in half after enabling program changes are made. It is unclear how long program restart will be delayed.
Democrats refuse to stop the shutdown until Trump agrees to reverse cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare that were passed in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. As an example, tax subsidies that helped Obamacare patients to pay their monthly fees have not been extended resulting in payment schedules going up 100% and more. Increases in monthly costs could make Obamacare unaffordable for many participants. On average, 84% of Obamacare recipients had an average monthly credit of $371. Whether it is Obamacare, Medicare, or SNAP, poor families will be hit the hardest, and, on a per capita basis, red states will be affected more.
There is now a group of Senators working on a compromise that could open up the government, but the compromise apparently avoids addressing the healthcare issues. Who will be the winners if the shutdown ends without a healthcare solution, Democrats trying to help the little guys or Republicans who enacted the cuts that are hurting the little guys?
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