Statement from Texas Democratic Party Chair on the One Big Ugly Bill Anniversary

DALLAS, TX — Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder released the following statement ahead of the one year anniversary of One Big Ugly Bill Act, which has devastated Texas families by spiking their costs, ripping away healthcare, and taking food from the hungry in order to give bigger tax breaks to billionaires: 

“Texas Republicans chose their billionaire donors over healthcare and food for working families. One year later and we are already seeing the devastating impacts of the Billionaire Bootlicking Bill across Texas. Rural hospitals closing, working Texans seeing their monthly premiums double, and veterans losing food assistance when grocery costs are at an all-time high. People are sick of politicians like Ken Paxton and Greg Abbott rigging the system to help their rich donors get richer, while picking the pockets of hardworking Texans. This November, it's time to end one party rule in Texas so that Texas Democrats can fight to make life more affordable for working families.”

One year later, and Texas is just beginning to see the devastation and impacts of Republican’s One Big Ugly Bill for Texas families:

Raising Texans’ Healthcare Costs- 

• 1.7 million Texans are estimated to lose their health insurance because of OBBBA and elimination of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits that families relied on to afford healthcare.  

• Texans’ average healthcare premiums are projected to spike 115% for those who relied on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. 

• Already two rural health care facilities in North Texas have closed, and 15 more rural hospitals in Texas are at risk because OBBBA slashed their funding. 

• Texas’ state Medicaid fund is estimated to be reduced by nearly $32.4 billion by 2034 under the OBBBA, meaning Texans will go uninsured and Texas hospitals that are already on shoestring budgets will be forced to absorb the costs.

Ripping Away Food Assistance From Hungry Families-

• As grocery prices continue to rise in Texas, an estimated 1.5 million families, seniors and children in Texas are losing some or all of their food benefits, as a result of OBBBA’s cuts to SNAP. 

  • Over 550,000 Texans have already lost food assistance since OBBBA’s enactment.

• Texas is estimated to need to pay $826 million more every year for SNAP due to OBBBA changes. 

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