Deep cuts in federal financial aid for college students. Less access to nutrition support programs. Millions of patients at risk of losing their health care. All of that is on the line as the Senate aims to vote on a reconciliation bill by July 4.

The U.S. House of Representatives version of the bill, HR 1, was passed by the House on May 22 by a narrow vote of 215-214. The U.S. Senate is now expected to vote on its own version of the bill as soon as this week. After that, the House and Senate would have to reconcile differences and pass the same bill before sending it to the president’s desk.

Debate in the Senate is expected to be contentious, as a number of popular, widely-used programs, such as Medicaid and Pell Grants, are facing significant cuts.

University of California leaders are among those speaking out, warning that the current proposals will make it harder for thousands of UC students to pay for college and could result in at least 1.7 million Californians losing their health care coverage, including many who rely on UC for their medical care.

“It’s abundantly clear that the budget reconciliation package would reduce access to higher education and health care and jeopardize UC’s ability to carry out its public service mission,” said Chris Harrington, UC associate vice president for Federal Governmental Relations, in a letter to California’s House delegation in May.

It’s not too late to get involved. Join the UC Advocacy Network in sharing your views on the reconciliation bill.

Read the whole story from the UC Newsroom

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