By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Pima County Health Department released new enrollment data showing declines in food assistance and Medicaid enrollment, with officials warning that further cuts could increase pressure on local food banks and community resources.
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Year over year, SNAP enrollment in Pima County has declined by 45%, a slight decrease from the last reporting period. Medicaid enrollment in the county has dropped more than 9%.
Natalie Jayroe, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, said new SNAP enrollment requirements over the past year have cut resources to the food bank while demand has risen by 15%.
“We used to be a supplemental source of nutrition, now we’re a regular part of how people are meeting their food needs,” Jayroe said.
Matt Heinz, vice chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, said the decrease in funds per month for those enrolled has affected local businesses.
“It’s about $180 million of impact, negative impact. That’s, those are funds coming out of our, our community, no longer going into the local grocery stores,” Heinz said.
Starting in October, certain refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian immigrants will no longer qualify for full Medicaid services. Heinz said this change is a critical blow for southern Arizona as the latest numbers already show a 9% decrease in enrollment.
“This is one of the groups that’s going to be most impacted. It’s those who are truly the most vulnerable and are literally trying to navigate our system,” Heinz said.
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New community engagement, employment and registration requirements are set to take effect in the new year. Jayroe said the tightened budgets will create more food insecurity, which she said will affect hospitals. She forecasts a 10% increase in need at the food bank.
“I think about this as kind of a Whac-A-Mole situation. We don’t quite know who’s going to be affected next, and we’re just trying to remain responsive so that we can help the community however we can,” Jayroe said.
Heinz said the health department has hired more employees specifically trained in enrollment efforts. He said the biggest priority is communicating these changes to the people who need them most.
“To educate the community, and also more than that, to make sure we have adequate staff available through the health department and other departments, like Community and Workforce Development too, to make sure that they know what these rules are and how they can stay on the rolls,” Heinz said.
According to a memo from County Administrator Jan Lesher, the county is launching a targeted community outreach program next month, when the Medicaid cuts take effect, for those affected by cuts to meal assistance or Medicaid.
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