Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Medicaid Snap Resolutions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jefferson County adopts resolutions opposing proposed federal Medicaid and SNAP cuts
Summary
The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners read and approved resolutions opposing proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), citing local impacts on tens of thousands of residents and urging the county’s congressional delegation to resist reductions.
The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 read into the record and approved resolutions opposing proposed federal changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), saying the measures would harm residents and county services.
Commissioner Zenzinger read the Medicaid resolution (Resolution CC25-160), saying the board “strongly oppose[s] any federal legislation that reduces Medicaid funding, restricts eligibility, or imposes new administrative burdens on enrollees.” The resolution cites an estimated 79,241 Jefferson County residents who rely on Medicaid each month and warns that cuts could cause “mass disenrollments” and increased pressure on local health providers.
The board also read a resolution urging protection of SNAP benefits, noting that proposed federal changes could reduce local benefits and shift administrative costs to counties. Chair Leslie Dahlkemper said the county would post information about the resolutions and federal proposals on the county website and continue outreach to congressional representatives.
Hallie Nelson, director of the Jefferson County Food Policy Council, urged commissioners to take a public stand against cuts, saying, “Programs like SNAP and Medicaid are essential to keeping people in Jefferson County fed and healthy,” and citing local food insecurity figures (10.9% or roughly 63,400 residents in 2023). Christy (Christie) Boland of Jefferson Center for Mental Health described how Medicaid supports behavioral health services and said Medicaid provides “more than 50% of our total revenue” for the center.
Both resolutions were placed on the consent agenda and approved as part of the consent vote. Commissioner Kerr moved approval of the consent items, Commissioner Zenzinger seconded, and the clerk called the vote: Kerr “Aye,” Zenzinger “Aye,” Dahlkemper “Yes.” The motions passed.
What happens next: the resolutions are nonbinding policy statements directing the board’s advocacy; they do not change county operations but are intended to guide outreach to the congressional delegation and inform county communications about potential federal changes.
