Big Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Medicaid Access and Slash CDC Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. & PENNSYLVANIA — The recent federal budget—dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'—adds new eligibility checks and paperwork for Medicaid recipients, a move that advocates warn could remove hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians from the program. Meanwhile, President Trump's fiscal 2026 proposal would slash the CDC's budget from $9.3 billion to $4.2 billion, raising fears among state and local departments.

Key concerns include:

• Medicaid paperwork and verification changes plus immigrant exclusions will hit hospitals like Doylestown and Grand View, which rely on Medicare and Medicaid for up to one-third to over half of their revenue.


• Public health departments facing cuts to disease surveillance, immunization clinics and COVID-era grants, with Mississippi expecting its federal share to drop from 65% to around 50%.

Officials warn these measures threaten frontline prevention of communicable and chronic diseases and could force staff layoffs and service reductions.

Nearly two in five U.S. healthcare workers have contemplated leaving their jobs due to safety concerns, and 45% say they are likely to quit within the next 12 months, according to the Verkada Healthcare Worker Safety Report in partnership with The Harris Poll. Nurses are most affected, with 50% reporting departure intentions versus 39% of physicians. Workplace violence is pervasive: 79% of staff have experienced or witnessed aggression, and 21% fear verbal harassment every shift.

Key security gaps include:

• 41% of workers say their facility has minimal security


• 77% report no security improvements in the past year

Healthcare professionals overwhelmingly back stronger protections, with 82% calling for increased security measures like on-site guards and panic buttons.

A new WalletHub study underscores wide disparities in state health systems across cost, accessibility and outcomes. Out of 50 states and DC, New Hampshire tops the list with the lowest insurance premiums and strong provider access, while Kentucky languishes at 43rd overall and last in dentists per capita.
Key findings include:

• New Hampshire: lowest average monthly premium, fifth for nurse density, first for certified urgent care centers


• Rhode Island: second-best overall, lowest out-of-pocket spending, over 94% insured adults


• Kentucky: 19th in premiums but 35th in physicians and 51st in dentists per capita
  These rankings illustrate how insurance costs, provider availability and preventive care vary dramatically by state.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide recall of 14 sweets and frozen treats after discovering undeclared milk on product labels, a serious hazard for consumers with dairy allergies.

Key details:

• Brands affected include Tropicale Foods' Helados Mexico and La Michoacana ice cream flavors.


• Labels list "cream" but omit the term "milk," creating a risk for milk‐allergic individuals.


• Products were sold at retailers across the U.S.

The FDA urges consumers with milk allergies to visit its website for specific lot numbers and to discard or return recalled items for a full refund. Tropicale Foods is also offering customer support and reimbursements.