Editor, Gazette-Journal:
As a resident and physician in Virginia’s First District, I want to ensure our community understands the consequences of the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” While some changes may start to affect us soon, many of the most significant impacts will unfold over the next few years, likely after the 2026 midterm elections. It’s important to recognize that this timing could allow those who supported these cuts—like Representatives Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans—to shift blame onto future policymakers, even though the hardship our community will experience is a direct result of their decision to vote yes on this bill, not once but twice. They should be ashamed.
To put this into perspective, about 15 percent of our community—approximately one in seven residents—relies on Medicaid (now called Cardinal Care in Virginia). Roughly 12 percent—or one in eight residents—depends on SNAP benefits to feed their families. These programs are vital lifelines in Gloucester an...