Governor Whitmer highlights devastating effects of proposed SNAP and Medicaid cuts, projecting a loss of $120 billion annually in local income and 41,500 Michigan jobs.

Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Pose Major Economic Risks to Michigan Communities

In a recent statement, Governor Gretchen Whitmer warned that proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the Congressional Republicans’ budget plan outlined in the Big Beautiful Bill, (aka BBB), would result in significant economic losses for Michigan, potentially cutting the state’s GDP by $4.53 billion and eliminating over 41,500 jobs. The cuts, totaling $1.2 trillion over the next decade, would have far-reaching impacts, particularly in regions like metropolitan Detroit, where Medicaid is a critical economic driver.

The Economic Impact of Medicaid Cuts

According to a Washington Center for Economic Growth report, Medicaid accounts for nearly 11.2% of the economic base in regions across the United States, a figure comparable to the economic impact of major industries like automotive manufacturing in Michigan. A drastic reduction in Medicaid spending could lead to the loss of critical healthcare jobs in the state, where the healthcare industry is Michigan’s largest private-sector employer. The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) estimates that this could result in the loss of 33,000 jobs across the state, reducing the local economy’s capacity to generate tax revenue and stalling growth.

Brian Peters, CEO of MHA, emphasized the stark consequences, stating, “Healthcare providers will be forced to reduce services, impacting all Michiganders and harming the health and wellness of our communities.”

These cuts would also threaten hospitals’ ability to support a workforce of more than 222,000 Michigan healthcare professionals, whose wages and benefits contribute significantly to Michigan’s local economies. Moreover, the ripple effect could lead to reduced grocery sales, slowing business at local restaurants, and weakening the entire supply chain that depends on the disposable income of Medicaid recipients.

SNAP Cuts Will Add Pressure on Michigan’s Economy

The Commonwealth Fund also projected that cuts to SNAP would exacerbate the economic challenges for Michigan’s local businesses. Many grocery stores, reliant on SNAP spending, could face revenue losses, jeopardizing their ability to keep employees on the payroll and meet operational costs. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II underscored the human toll these cuts would have, stating, “These cuts aren’t abstract. They will show up in skipped prescriptions, empty grocery carts, and kids going to school hungry.”

Across the nation, including in Michigan, SNAP helps feed millions of families, but with the proposed cuts, food security will become increasingly out of reach for many low-income families. The Washington Center for Economic Growth notes that such cuts would likely result in a $120 billion annual loss in local income across the country, with at least 1.6 million jobs lost nationally.

SNAP cuts threaten Michigan farmers and local food economy

Cutting SNAP benefits would not only hurt struggling families—it would also damage Michigan’s agricultural sector. A Bridge Michigan analysis found that approximately 10,000 Michigan retailers, including farmers markets and grocery stores, rely on SNAP spending, which infuses $3.6?billion into the state economy annually. When SNAP benefits decrease, that ripple effect reaches farmers and suppliers.

State Senate testimony highlighted specific losses: Dr.?Deanne?Kelleher of Michigan’s Department of Education noted that ending two school nutrition programs—LFPA25 and LFSCC—would remove $30?million in sales from Michigan farmers, disrupting school, childcare, and food bank supply chains.

A Michigan State University report found that up to 15% of some farmers’ annual sales come from SNAP-associated markets. That means cuts to SNAP could reduce farm revenue by a similar percentage—forcing smaller producers to scale back operations or close altogether.

Nationally, SNAP benefits generate staging emissions: on average each SNAP dollar circulates about $1.73 to $1.84 in economic activity. That multiplier effect supports farm production, distribution, and processing—all vital to Michigan’s $103?billion agriculture industry.

Implications for Michigan agriculture

Farmers markets and small farms will face direct income loss when shoppers lose purchasing power.
Local food programs in schools and food banks will struggle to procure produce, shrinking sales and market consistency.
Wider rural economies may see contractions, as fewer farmers mean less business for equipment suppliers, logistics, and ag-related services.

If SNAP funding is curtailed, Michigan farmers risk losing critical income streams, which could deepen rural economic decline and threaten the state’s food system resilience.

What Michigan Stands to Lose

In Michigan, the full economic impact could extend to $319 million in lost tax revenue, creating further challenges for local governments and slowing the state’s recovery from economic setbacks. The state’s overall GDP could drop by an estimated $4.53 billion, leading to a 1.6% contraction in the economy.

Local business owners, especially those in the healthcare and grocery sectors, are expected to be the hardest hit. Furthermore, as hospital closures increase, Michigan’s rural and underserved communities could face heightened healthcare disparities, deepening the divide between affluent urban areas and struggling rural regions.

Broader Implications for Michigan’s Workforce

As Michigan’s economy grapples with these proposed cuts, the state’s unemployment rate may rise, and job losses in the healthcare sector could force workers into already oversaturated job markets, reducing the quality of life for many Michigan residents.

Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist are working to push back against these cuts, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all Michigan residents. They urge federal lawmakers to reconsider the proposal, citing the broad negative impacts it would have on communities across the state.

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