July 3, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Milagros R. Elia
Program Manager, Climate and Clean Energy Advocacy
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
914.455.1165
ANHE Statement on Passage of Bill which Deeply Cuts Medicaid and Facilitates Fossil Fuel Expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, in the longest vote in House history, what has been referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” by a vote of 218-214. Only two Republicans, Rep. Thomas Massie (KY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), joined all House Democrats in voting against the legislation, which was approved by the Senate two days earlier.
Contents of the bill include extension of the 2017 tax cuts of Trump’s first term, gives a $150 billion boost in funding for a border wall, immigration enforcement, and deportations and provides $150 billion in new defense spending for a missile defense project. The bill cuts incentives that promote green energy and expands domestic production of oil, coal and natural gas. The bill also makes severe cuts to low-income health and nutrition programs which are expected to eliminate health coverage for millions of people and cripple food safety nets. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the net effect of the package adds an additional $3.3 trillion in deficit spending over the next decade.
In response to today’s announcement, the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environment’s (ANHE) Executive Director, Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN issued the following statement:
“As nurses, we are outraged that the passage of today’s budget reconciliation package includes so many egregious cuts to critical services that our patients and communities across the country rely on.
This bill slashes Medicaid funding and nutrition programs and expands production of fossil fuels, putting millions of Americans at risk of negative health impacts such as food instability, restricted access to basic healthcare needs and lifesaving resources, as well as increased exposure to toxic cancer-causing air pollution in already vulnerable communities.This is in reality, a huge setback in steps we’ve achieved striving for a healthy nation.
As nurses, we stand united in strongly condemning the passing of this bill and remain committed to uphold our professional duty to public health and will continue fighting for clean air, clean water, and healthy environments.
Even as the bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature, nurses across America will continue to elevate the human health impacts of this bill, demanding accountability and healthy solutions.”
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The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is the only national nursing organization focused solely on the intersection of health and the environment. The mission of the Alliance is to promote healthy people and healthy environments by educating and leading the nursing profession, advancing research, incorporating evidence-based practice, and influencing policy.
