By Barley Lewis-McCabe and Nico Patakidis

The Big Beautiful Bill serves as one of the largest and most impactful acts of the Trump administrations and includes hundreds of changes to policy from radical tax cuts to clean energy reduction. 

Healthcare:

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes a $28.4 billion cut for federal medicaid funding in California, which could leave 3.4 million Californians without healthcare. Medicaid provides a significant source of income for rural hospitals by covering patients that wouldn’t otherwise have access to healthcare. As of July 2025, over 300 rural hospitals across America are at immediate risk of closure, one of those being Mad River Community Hospital in Humboldt County. The increase in uninsured patients due to Medicaid cuts could increase the ongoing problem of rural hospital closure. 

Snap:

The OBBBA will cut federal funding to Snap programs by $186 billion over 10 years. Previously, administrative costs for Snap programs were funded 50/50 by state and federal governments. Moving forward state governments will have to provide 75% of administrative funding. OBBBA also enacts work requirements to receive Snap benefits. The bill states that able-bodied adults are mandated to work for 20-80 hours a month. This includes community service, training and unpaid labor as well as jobs. Previous waivers for veterans, unhoused people, and former foster children have been eliminated. 

When approached for comment on how the Big Beautiful Bill could affect Oh Snap on campus, Cal Poly Humboldt Communications Specialist Melissa L. Hutsell said, “At Cal Poly Humboldt, we know that access to healthy food is essential for student success. While the full impact of federal cuts is still uncertain, we remain committed to advocating for resources that help students meet their basic needs so they can focus on their education.”

Student Loans:

Along with the changes made to the different student loan repayment plans, the OBBBA has also introduced modified borrowing limits for new loans starting July 1, 2026. Graduate students are currently being allowed to borrow up to the amount that is needed for their graduate programs, capped at $138,500. Once the new limits go into effect, graduate students will only be able to borrow a lifetime amount of $100,000. The OBBA sets a new lifetime limit for the combined loans of undergrad and graduate loans at $257,500. New loan limits are also being set for those enrolled in the Parent PLUS program, at $20,000 a year and $65,000 a year. 

Barley is the photo editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

Nico is a sophomore journalism major with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and can be reached at np211@humboldt.edu.