Table of Contents
Overview
Recently, the House passed the Trump Administration’s “Big” budget bill, which includes massive cuts to popular programs such as Medicaid and food nutrition programs. Now this bill heads to the Senate, and time is running out.
Currently, over 366,000 Kansans rely on Medicaid, and 187,000 Kansans use food assistance programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That includes seniors, kids, people with disabilities, and low-income families. These cuts would exacerbate the struggles Kansans face, on top of the rising cost of living, economic instability, and ongoing community health issues.
In early June, a nonpartisan research firm conducted focus groups and polling on budget cuts to healthcare and nutrition programs. This memo outlines communication guidance and suggested talking points, social posts, and graphics based on that research.
Updated: 6/27/2025
Message Guidance
- Use every opportunity to repeat that Medicaid and food assistance programs are popular. Both have over 70% bipartisan support from Americans. Voters don’t want cuts in funding. Period.
- Avoid saying that these cuts are to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. This actually turns off voters
- Always lead with the impact this budget has on children. Voters also care about seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, children with special needs, and rural communities. But leading with children is the most salient in research and testing.
- Highlight that these funding cuts cause economic instability. Families are already struggling to get by, and cuts to these programs will only make their lives harder. Our leaders should be doing everything they can to help working families.
- Characterize the cuts as rushed. The government is making rash decisions without understanding the true impact they will have on real people, especially children.
- Use dollar amounts. Lawmakers are shying away from the numbers, because they don’t want people to know how much money they are really cutting. They’re taking $1 trillion from essential programs ($700 billion from Medicaid and $300 billion from SNAP).
Talking Points
- Kansans are working around the clock to make ends meet — sometimes even multiple jobs. Right now, Congress is rushing through a bill that will take healthcare and food assistance away from working families — from children. They want to cut over $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP. Extreme politicians are making life harder for families instead of helping them get back on their feet. Tell your leaders to oppose these cuts and stand up for Kansas families.
- Kansans believe in government efficiency — when it’s done right. This budget bill is being highlighted as a way to reduce waste and abuse, but in reality, it does neither. You can’t cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP without taking away healthcare and food from Kansas families, especially children.
- Food and healthcare are not luxuries. Attacks on Medicaid and SNAP could force over 500,000 Kansas families to live without the healthcare or food assistance they need. Our kids shouldn’t suffer because our leaders have the wrong priorities. Tell them to vote NO on this budget bill.
- Everyone wants their kids to be healthy, but politicians in Washington are trying to take healthcare and food away from kids. That’s why we need to tell our senators to protect Medicaid and SNAP. No matter your political party, we can all agree that children should have access to healthcare and food.
- Kansans support our neighbors. That means making sure they have access to food and healthcare. 70% of voters support Medicaid and SNAP, yet Congress wants to cut funding for both of these essential services. We oppose these funding cuts — it’s that simple.
- Medicaid is a lifeline for rural hospitals and essential for thriving rural communities. Right now, Kansas already has more hospitals at risk of closure than any other state in the country. Sixty-three rural hospitals are currently at risk, and 87% of Kansas rural hospitals are operating in the red. Cutting Medicaid could force rural hospitals to close, costing jobs, access to healthcare, and profound economic damage. The ripple effects would devastate small communities.
Values-Based Message
Building a Strong Message Start with Values
Shared Value
Define the Problem
State our Position
That’s why we need to expand Medicaid, not cut it. We need to keep our tax dollars in Kansas to help our loved ones get the care they need.
Remove Partisianship
It doesn’t matter where you live, cutting Medicaid will make life harder for families instead of helping them get back on their feet.
Social Media Kit
Suggested Copy:
More than 366,000 Kansans rely on Medicaid and 187,000 Kansans depend on food stamps. The Trump Administration’s budget proposal is rushed, destructive, and dangerous for our children. Healthcare and food are necessities, not luxuries.
Hashtags to use:
#ProtectMedicaid #ProtectSNAP
Suggested Copy:
When politicians cut Medicaid and nutrition programs, Kansas families pay the price. They are more focused on cutting healthcare than helping Kansas families. We deserve better.
Hashtags to use:
#ProtectMedicaid #ProtectSNAP
Suggested Copy:
Healthy families build strong communities and strong economies. This starts with access to quality food and affordable healthcare. Cutting Medicaid and SNAP hurts Kansans. Tell your lawmakers to protect Kansas families and oppose these cuts.
Hashtags to use:
#ProtectMedicaid #ProtectSNAP
