Trump cutting health care to fund war is not what Missouri asked for | Opinion

As House Republicans move forward with President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget — one that prioritizes massive military expansion over essential public services — residents of Missouri should be asking one thing: Whose security are we really funding?

This “big, beautiful bill” proposes billions more for the Pentagon: for barracks, for missile defense and for military operations at the southern border. Yet to make this possible, lawmakers are eyeing deep cuts to Medicaid — cuts that would disproportionately harm low-income families, older adults and children right here in Missouri. Under the new proposal, “per capita caps” would limit how much the federal government contributes to states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Missouri only recently implemented Medicaid expansion after years of delay. Now, our most vulnerable communities could lose the coverage they just gained.

Is this the future we want? One where we trade preventive care for patriot missiles? Where we reduce food assistance so we can increase the number of military contractors?

This isn’t theoretical. According to the latest numbers, more than 1.4 million Missourians rely on Medicaid, including nearly 40% of our children. Slashing federal contributions to this program wouldn’t just hurt individuals — it would weaken our entire state’s health infrastructure. Hospitals would absorb the costs. Rural clinics may shut their doors. Families would delay care until it becomes an emergency.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense — already the most bloated federal agency — gets another unchecked windfall. The Pentagon has never passed a full audit. Its contracts are riddled with waste. And yet, somehow, it always gets more. More money. More leeway. More power.

At the Peace Economy Project, based here in Missouri, we believe national security should be measured not by how many missiles we build but by how many lives we lift. Investing in housing, public education, climate resilience and health care is not weakness — it’s wisdom.

It’s time we asked Congress to reflect the values of real people, not defense contractors. Missouri doesn’t need another Pentagon windfall. We need well-funded schools. We need community health centers. We need transportation systems that work. We need care, not war.

The true threats we face today — climate change, pandemics, economic inequality — can’t be solved with bombs. They require compassion, cooperation and a willingness to reimagine what “security” really means.

To our elected officials: Do better. Say no to this budget. Our health matters more than any missile.