What Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Really Means for Veterans — Especially in Calaveras County
Last year Republicans promised that they would never cut Medicaid and that they would defend Veterans.
Trump promised. Republican Senate and House candidates promised. Their staff promised.
On Friday, the day before we all celebrated our freedom, the freedom we have thanks to our Veterans, all of the Republican’s (except 2) voted to cut Medicaid. They declared war on Veterans struggling to keep their homes, to put food on the table, or get the health care they need.
They lied. They were lying the entire time. And they won elections because they lied. We’re sick of it, and we’re done watching it happen.
Every single Republican who lied their way into office and went on to vote to pull the rug out from under Veterans and their families deserve to lose power.
Here in Calaveras County, where patriotism runs deep and many residents have served or are connected to someone who has, the impact of this bill will hit hard. Especially in our rural community, where services are fewer and farther between, the bill threatens the health care, housing, and dignity our veterans have earned.
A Breakdown of the Bill’s Impact on Veterans
❌ Massive Cuts to Medicaid
The bill slashes over $900 billion from Medicaid over the next decade — and this is no abstract budget line. Roughly 1 in 10 veterans use Medicaid for at least part of their health coverage. This includes many who:
- Aren’t eligible for full VA care
- Live with chronic illness or disabilities
- Need behavioral or substance abuse support
In Calaveras County, where access to VA clinics is limited, Medicaid often fills the gap. These cuts could mean:
- Fewer local doctors accepting Medicaid-covered vets
- Delayed treatment or longer drives for care
- Strain on already underfunded rural hospitals like Mark Twain Medical Center
❌ Threats to Community Healthcare Access
The Veterans Community Care Program allows rural vets to receive services from nearby providers when VA facilities are too far. Budget strain from this bill could:
- Undercut reimbursement rates
- Disincentivize providers from participating
- Force more veterans into long commutes or medical neglect
❌ Reductions in Housing and Food Assistance
The bill also includes deep cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and housing support programs, such as HUD-VASH, which serves homeless veterans. In California, 11.1% of veterans ages 18–64 reported food insecurity, with low-income veterans particularly vulnerable: nearly 22.5% reported food insecurity.
In a county where affordable housing is already scarce and wages lag behind cost of living, this could lead to:
- Higher veteran homelessness
- Food insecurity among fixed-income vets
- Fewer support services for transitioning service members
At least 10,000–12,000 veterans in California are currently homeless, according to annual HUD‑point-in-time counts. Over a third of the entire U.S. homeless veteran population resides here in California.
Why Rural Veterans Get Hit the Hardest
Veterans in communities like ours already face an uphill battle:
- Fewer local VA resources
- Longer wait times
- Limited public transportation
- Higher rates of mental health challenges and economic instability
When Washington cuts federal support, rural veterans don’t just lose convenience — they lose access altogether.
We say Thank You!
According to recent U.S. Census data, around 3,355 veterans live in Calaveras County, accounting for roughly 8.8% of the local population. By comparison, the Calaveras’ total population is about 46,000. Veterans make up a significantly higher share here than in California overall (4.5%) and the national average (6.4%).
This means nearly 1 in every 11 residents has served our country—a deeply rooted legacy in Calaveras, reflecting our strong ties to the military and patriotism.
Republican Lawmakers Breaking Promises, Breaking Trust
This bill delivers tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy and bloated funding to ICE enforcement — but pays for it with cuts to health care, food aid, and disaster response. It’s a betrayal of the values we just celebrated on the Fourth of July.
Our veterans kept their oath to the Constitution. Why aren’t lawmakers like Tom McClintock keeping theirs?
The Bottom Line for Calaveras
If you’ve served, if you love someone who has, or if you believe in honoring our nation’s promises — this bill should alarm you.
Let’s be clear: rural communities like Calaveras County are not disposable. We are not collateral damage for politics-as-performance.
If you’re angry, you’re not alone.
If you’re confused, we’re here to help explain.
If you’re ready to hold leaders accountable — including our Rep Tom McClintock, who helped pass this heinous bill – 2026 can’t come soon enough.