Crown Family School Faculty Member Joins Civic Leaders to Discuss SNAP and Medicaid Policy Changes at the City Club Chicago
Researchers, healthcare leaders, and community organizations gathered at the City Club of Chicago to examine how proposed federal changes to SNAP and Medicaid programs could affect families, healthcare systems, and communities throughout Cook County.
Hosted by the City Club of Chicago and co-sponsored by the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, the discussion, Protecting Access: SNAP Federal Policy and Cook County Response, brought together leaders from research, healthcare, and community service organizations to explore the potential local implications of evolving federal policy.
The panel featured Carolyn Barnes, PhD, associate professor at the Crown Family School; Eric Makridis, MD, CEO of Cook County Health; and Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Opening the event, Crown Family School Dean Deborah Gorman-Smith emphasized the value of bringing together multiple perspectives to better understand the challenges facing communities.
"Together, this panel brings together the health system, the community infrastructure, and the research evidence we need to understand not just what is happening, but what an effective response might look like," Gorman-Smith said.
Throughout the conversation, panelists explored how changes to federal benefits programs could affect families, healthcare systems, and community organizations, while emphasizing the importance of understanding both the policy changes themselves and how they are experienced by those who rely on them.
Much of the discussion focused on the scope of the proposed changes and their potential impact on individuals and families already navigating economic challenges.
Speaking from the perspective of Cook County's largest public healthcare system, Makridis discussed how policy changes can have ripple effects across healthcare providers, community organizations, and the residents they serve. He noted that Cook County Health has already begun observing shifts in insurance coverage among patients.
"We've already seen a shift this first quarter, about a 5% swing in our uninsured," Makridis said.
Makridis explained that increases in the number of uninsured residents often create additional pressures on healthcare systems, particularly those that serve as safety-net providers. He emphasized that healthcare organizations frequently encounter the downstream effects of broader social and economic challenges, including food insecurity, housing instability, and barriers to accessing public benefits.
"It's going to affect families who are already eligible," Barnes said, noting that procedural requirements often create barriers even for those who qualify for assistance.
Throughout the conversation, panelists stressed that understanding the local impact of federal policy requires looking beyond legislation itself and examining how policies are implemented and experienced in communities.
Drawing on years of research examining the experiences of SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid participants, Barnes discussed how administrative processes can shape whether individuals ultimately receive support. Policy changes extend beyond future applicants and may affect individuals who currently qualify for assistance programs.
Barnes explained that many individuals face what researchers describe as learning costs, compliance costs, and psychological costs. These can include understanding program requirements, completing documentation, navigating reporting systems, and managing the stress associated with maintaining eligibility.
Barnes emphasized that even when individuals qualify for assistance, increasingly complex processes can create barriers that prevent them from successfully accessing benefits.
"It feels as though the compliance infrastructure has become so complicated that it effectively functions as exclusion infrastructure," said Barnes.
Her remarks underscored a recurring theme throughout the discussion: access to public benefits is influenced not only by eligibility rules, but also by the systems and processes individuals must navigate to obtain support.
The conversation highlighted how administrative requirements can disproportionately affect working families, caregivers, older adults, and others balancing multiple responsibilities while attempting to maintain access to critical resources.
As the discussion turned toward the future, panelists examined the role local organizations may play if federal changes increase demand for services at the community level.
Maehr discussed the critical role SNAP plays in addressing food insecurity and noted that charitable organizations are designed to supplement—not replace—federal nutrition assistance programs.
"There is no charitable food network in America that can make up for cuts to SNAP," Maehr said.
Maehr explained that food banks, community pantries, and nonprofit organizations provide essential support to families experiencing hardship, but do not possess the scale or resources necessary to replace the nation's primary nutrition assistance program.
Makridis echoed the importance of cross-sector collaboration, noting that healthcare systems, government agencies, and community organizations must work together to address the interconnected challenges facing residents.
Together, the panelists emphasized that effective responses require coordination across institutions, informed by research, community experience, and an understanding of how policies affect people in their daily lives.
The discussion reflected the Crown Family School's commitment to connecting research, policy, and practice to address complex social challenges. By bringing together scholars, healthcare leaders, and community organizations, the event created an opportunity to examine how federal policy decisions may affect local communities and what strategies can help support individuals and families moving forward.
As policymakers continue to debate the future of SNAP and Medicaid, the conversation underscored the importance of evidence-informed dialogue and cross-sector collaboration in strengthening the systems that support health, economic stability, and community well-being throughout Cook County.