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Military wins, but poor and disabled are big losers in Trump's budget

Posted at 2:51 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-23 20:10:30-04

The federal budget is important for Colorado moms on the move.

"To be able to provide services that are being provided now and maybe even better," said Joy Bowen, as she walked through Wash Park in Denver.

National budget decisions could impact their lives, their children, as well as parents and grandparents.

"Some of the tax cuts, more so around Medicaid," said fellow walker Jessica Vogle.

Gov, John Hickenlooper called Trump's budget proposal "devastating."

"President Trump’s budget proposal is devastating. We have worked hard to create an environment that supports what is now the top economy in the country and makes Colorado a great place to live. The impact of cuts to Medicaid, Social Security and other programs - for the purpose of funding massive tax breaks for the wealthy - is out of step with Colorado’s values. It threatens our hard-earned progress, pushes costs back to the state, and transfers additional burden to those who can least afford it. It really is Robin Hood in reverse - stealing from the poor (and the middle class) to give to the rich."

Here in Colorado, some potential winners and losers.

Winners:

—The military: Trump's budget proposal would add $469 billion to defense spending over the next decade.

—Border security: The proposal includes $2.6 billion for border security technology, including money to design and build a wall along the southern border. Trump repeatedly promised voters during the campaign that Mexico would pay for the wall, a notion that Mexican officials rejected. Instead, the U.S. taxpayer will foot the bill.

—The elderly: Trump's budget plan does not address Social Security or Medicare benefits for retirees, even though both programs are on track to become insolvent in the coming decades.

—New parents: The budget plan includes a new paid leave program for the parents of newborn children. Under the program, mothers and fathers could take up to six weeks of paid leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Trump's budget summary says the program is fully paid for but includes only $19 billion over the next decade.

—Veterans: The budget proposal calls for an increase for the Veterans Administration, including $29 billion over the next decade for the Choice program. The program allows veterans to seek outside medical care from private doctors.

—Doctors: The budget proposes to cap jury awards in medical malpractice lawsuits.

— Medicare and Medicaid fraud prevention efforts would get a $70 million increase next year.

Losers:    

—The Poor: Trump's budget would slash Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program by $616 billion over the next decade. These programs provide health insurance for millions of poor families.

—The Poor, Part II: Trump's budget would cut the food stamp program by $191 billion over the next decade.

—The Poor, Part III: Trump's budget would cut funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program by $22 billion over the next decade.

—The Disabled: Trump's budget calls for cutting Social Security disability benefits by nearly $70 billion over the next decade by encouraging and, in some cases, requiring people receiving the benefits to re-enter the workforce.

—College Students: Trump's proposal would cut student loans by $143 billion over the next decade.

—Farmers: The budget plan would cut farm subsidies by $38 billion over the next decade.

—Young Workers: By not addressing Social Security or Medicare benefits for retirees, Trump's budget increases the likelihood that young workers will eventually face either significant benefit cuts or big tax increases. Social Security's trust funds are projected to run dry in 2034 and Medicare's is projected to run out of money in 2028. If Congress allows either fund to run dry, millions of Americans living on fixed incomes would face steep cuts in benefits.

—The Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay: Trump's budget would eliminate the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Program, saving $427 million next year.

—Planned Parenthood: The budget would prohibit any funding for certain entities that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood.

—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The agency, which fights everything from AIDS to Zika, would have its budget cut about 18 percent, to $6.3 billion.

— The National Institutes of Health: The budget for the premier medical research agency would be cut by 18 percent, to $26 billion.

—Science: The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates the budget proposal would cut overall federal spending on scientific research by 16.8 percent.           

"You're hitting some things that have some very strong interests," said University of Denver economist Mac Clouse.

"It goes across all constituents.  So if I'm a good Senator or Representative, I've got to be real careful because those things could impact lots of voters."

MORE | Learn more about the budget in this detailed story. 

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting of this story.