Even with overwhelming opposition, Congress recently passed a disastrous budget that will decimate vital programs and raise costs for workers to benefit billionaires and corporations. States now carry the burden of a fragile democracy as our communities prepare for the devastation this reckless budget will cause.
State legislators have been, and will continue to be, the leaders that our communities deserve as the fascist takeover of our federal government continues. Many of you have fought back in the states for years, where the destructive policies of Project 2025 were first tested. We’ve done this together before and we will continue this difficult defensive work.
We know that true transformation demands more than resistance: it requires us to imagine and build towards a new future where everyone can thrive. When communities and legislators work as true partners, we build solutions that address problems and transform lives.
That’s why we’re kicking off a new series: The State Legislator’s Guide to the 2025 Federal Budget unpacks the full impact of the federal budget bill and equips state legislators with the resources and strategies they need to lead at this critical moment.
Get started by reviewing the State Power to Protect Immigrant Communities toolkit, a resource designed to help legislators develop proactive policies, strengthen worker protections, and expand access to critical services.
Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing bi-weekly updates to the guide, diving deeper into topics like revenue and taxes, public assistance programs, and more. Until then, we want to hear from you!
What questions do you have about the budget reconciliation bill? What ideas are you working on with colleagues and partners in your state that we should share with the SiX network?
If you missed our latest briefing, Funding our Futures: Tax Justice in the States, catch up on the recording and materials here. In the webinar, we look back at tax bills and lessons learned from 2025 legislative sessions, overview the possibility of special sessions in response to federal actions, and build for continued momentum into 2026 and beyond.
We’ll dig into key takeaways for state legislators over the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out some of the sources that our staff has been reading:
In July, Congress passed H.R. 1 (the Big Ugly Bill), a sweeping law that threatens to devastate health care for millions of Americans. The bill will hit the most vulnerable communities hardest. By cutting and capping federal Medicaid funding, the Big Ugly Bill puts enormous pressure on state budgets, forcing difficult choices about which programs and services to maintain.
This means:
🚨 $1.02 trillion cut from Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by 2034.
🚨 At least 10.5 million people projected to lose coverage.
🚨 States forced into impossible budget choices about which services to keep.
New federal limits on Medicaid will leave millions uninsured while forcing states to either raise revenue or cut services, often starting with home- and community-based care. These cuts won’t spare any group, leading to hospital closures, layoffs, and reduced access to essential care. Medicaid, which covers nearly half of all births and supports millions with chronic and mental health needs, now faces a manufactured crisis that puts over 16 million people at risk.
State lawmakers have the power to act. By defending Medicaid and advancing policies that keep people covered, strengthen provider networks, and ensure families can access care when and where they need it, states can protect the most vulnerable and safeguard the future of our health care system. Protecting Medicaid is not just about budgets but about building a future where everyone can thrive.
You can start by finding the state-by-state “alternative names” for Medicaid. As Medicaid is administered at the state level, many states designate their programs using alternative titles.
Check out our Special Session Toolkit, which includes critical strategies for the defense of Medicaid. It's designed to provide legislators, advocates, and organizations with the resources needed to act swiftly and protect health coverage in 2025 special sessions and into the 2026 legislative sessions.
Join SiX’s Reproductive Freedom Program, our national initiative supporting legislators across the country committed to ensuring health care remains accessible and equitable.
We want to hear from you! What questions do you have about the budget reconciliation bill? What strategies or ideas are you working on with colleagues and partners in your state that we should share with the SiX network?
Thank you all for reading! If you'd like to receive these resources directly in your inbox, along with other timely and critical information for state legislators, please subscribe to our newsletter below! ⬇️