WASHINGTON, DC– The National WIC Association (NWA) released a policy brief examining how proposed budget cuts could affect the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The brief, “The Impact of Congressional Budget Proposals on WIC,” highlights how changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—two programs that millions of families rely on—could create significant barriers to WIC participation.
While WIC funding won’t be affected, proposed restrictions on Medicaid and SNAP would make it harder for families to qualify for WIC through adjunctive eligibility, a streamlined process that helps ensure low-income families can quickly access benefits. One proposal under consideration—the elimination of Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) in SNAP—could push more than 3 million people off SNAP, including hundreds of thousands of young children who would lose their automatic pathway to WIC.
“WIC, SNAP, and Medicaid work together to ensure that families have the nutrition and healthcare they need to thrive,” said Georgia Machell, President & CEO of NWA. “If Congress moves forward with cuts to Medicaid or SNAP, families will not only lose access to food and healthcare, they’ll face unnecessary barriers to WIC. This will leave pregnant women, infants, and young children without essential support that keeps them healthy—at a time when families are already struggling with rising food insecurity. Lawmakers must recognize how these programs are interconnected and protect access to them.”
Nearly 80% of WIC participants also rely on Medicaid for healthcare, and any cuts or restrictions to Medicaid funding would force families to provide additional income documentation to enroll in WIC. This added burden could discourage participation and put families at risk of losing nutrition support.
As Congress advances its budget reconciliation package, NWA urges lawmakers to consider the broader consequences of these policy changes. Limiting access to WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid would not only undermine efforts to combat food insecurity but also jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of families. These programs work together to provide essential nutrition and healthcare, laying the foundation for lifelong health and stability. Congress must act to protect and strengthen these safety net programs, ensuring that all families have the support they need to grow and thrive.
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Press Contact
Name: Whitney Carlson
Email: [email protected]
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The National WIC Association (NWA) is the nonprofit membership organization for state and local providers of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). NWA is the go-to voice for WIC staff at more than 12,000 WIC locations across the country who work to support more than 6.8 million mothers and young children. For 40 years, NWA has worked to build broad, bipartisan consensus for WIC’s programmatic goals and public health mission. NWA provides member-driven advocacy; education, guidance, and support to WIC staff; and drives innovation to strengthen WIC as we work toward a nation of healthier women, children, and their families. Learn more at www.nwica.org.