Ohioans respond after Trump signs bill cutting Medicaid and SNAP funding

TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo residents and local lawmakers are voicing concern over, and support for, President Donald Trump’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill” which the president signed into law on July 4.

The bill enacted historic cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in order to fund tax breaks and boost immigration enforcement.

The bill, which narrowly passed Congress on July 3, delivers on two major Republican priorities: expanded tax cuts and increased funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the legislation offsets those costs by slashing $600 billion from Medicaid and $230 billion from SNAP over the next decade — the largest reductions in the history of both programs.

State Senator Theresa Gavarone, a Republican, voiced support for the bill, saying the tax relief it provides will benefit Ohioans and small businesses.

“President Trump and Republicans in Congress are delivering on promises made. As a small business owner, I know that employees will benefit from keeping more of their hard-earned money. This bill is good for small businesses and the Ohioans they employ,” Gavarone said in a statement.

But not all Ohio lawmakers share that optimism. State Representative Michele Grim, a Democrat, warned that the law could have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations.

“So I think it’s going to devastate a lot of people here in Ohio,” Grim said. “They’re anticipating about 500,000 people will have their Medicaid benefits cut from the big, ugly bill. So that’s going to devastate a lot of families.”

Toledo residents are also reacting to the changes, with many expressing concern about losing long-standing government benefits. While several declined to comment, resident Dan McGuire shared his frustration over the cuts.

“You prepaid your medical expenses, in essence. So, you’re entitled to them,” McGuire said. “You can call it an entitlement, a gift, whatever, but you should have it. And a country as rich and as big as we are — people shouldn’t be hungry and people shouldn’t lack for medical care.”

While some provisions of the Big Beautiful Bill will take effect immediately, the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP are expected to be phased in over time.

Additional information about the bill and its broader implications is expected to emerge as federal agencies begin implementation.