Trump-era budget cuts: Effects on jobs, Medicaid, and services

This collection of stories explores the impact of Trump-era budget cuts on federal funding, Medicaid, and community services.

Stories describe how proposed budget resolutions could lead to Medicaid reductions, potentially affecting millions enrolled, including seniors reliant on home care services. The stories also highlight that these cuts reach beyond the elderly and poor, with ripple effects threatening hospital operations, access to health professionals, and overall community health in Central Washington.

Read the stories below.

Brenda Morgan (right), a home health care provider, and her young client, who has disabilities, are both concerned about the possibility of deep cuts to Medicaid, known as Apple Health in Washington state.

NO. 1: THINK PROPOSED MEDICAID CUTS WILL AFFECT ONLY POOR, ELDERLY IN CENTRAL WA? THINK AGAIN

“When hospitals are forced to cut services to remain financially viable, those cuts affect everyone, not just Medicaid patients.” | Published April 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Annette Cary

Volunteer Josie Beach wears a smile while helping fill over 300 trays of meals to be frozen and delivered later to area senior citizens through the Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels program. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 2: CUTTING MEDICAID COULD MEAN THE END OF LIVING AT HOME FOR SOME TRI-CITIES OLDER ADULTS

“We are not waiting, we are working. We are not fearful, we are focused. And with the help from our community, we will continue to stand strong together.” | Published April 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

Richland High School students navigate congestion on the stairwell in Mac Hall, the building with math and science classrooms, during a scheduled class change. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 3: TRUMP BUDGET SET TO CUT $20M FROM CRITICAL CENTRAL WA STUDENT MIGRANT PROGRAMS

In order to be eligible, a student has to have moved in the past three years. The cuts would impact 3,500 Tri-Cities students. | Published June 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eric Rosane

Aides Ann Markham, left, and Anna Borjas help clients the Adult Day Services of the Tri-Cities facility work on their physical therapy regimens recently at the downtown Kennewick facility. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 4: TRUMP SPENDING CUTS WILL SLAM TRI-CITIES WORSE THAN MOST OF WA. HERE’S HOW

From Medicaid and food stamps to cutting edge scientific research, this is what the tax cuts will cost the Tri-Cities. | Published July 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

Volunteers distribute food at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank facility at 215 S. 6th Ave in Pasco. They’re distributing more than 100,000 pounds of food each week, despite only being open for a few hours on Wednesdays. By Bob Brawdy

NO. 5: HOW TRUMP CUTS WILL IMPACT TRI-CITIES FAMILIES, FOOD ASSISTANCE, SCHOOLS

One in every six Tri-Cities households, or about 17,000 families, receive SNAP food stamp benefits. | Published July 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

Hospital. Paramedics and parents walk in an injured child into the emergency room on September 14, 2009 at the non-profit Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

NO. 6: HOW TRUMP CUTS WILL IMPACT TRI-CITIES HEALTH INSURANCE, HOSPITALS, MEDICAID

Women acting as caregivers are the largest group expected to lose Medicaid coverage. | Published July 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cory McCoy

The U.S. Capitol at dawn on Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Congress could not agree on a budget to fund government at midnight, causing the first shutdown since 2018. By Al Drago

NO. 7: DEMOCRATS SOUND OFF AFTER TRUMP ENDS $1.1B FOR WA ENERGY, MANUFACTURING PROJECTS

Democratic officials are condemning the Trump administration for terminating some $1.1 billion in funding meant for energy and manufacturing projects in Washington state. | Published October 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.