OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Butte County Board of Supervisors was briefed in December on the significant federal impacts of House Resolution 1 on local public health and social services.

Tiffany Rowe, director of the county’s Department of Employment and Social Services, and Public Health Director Monica Soderstrom outlined how the “Big Beautiful Bill,” signed July 4, 2025, will affect California’s CalFresh and Medi‑Cal programs, which serve tens of thousands of Butte County residents.

CalFresh, the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, currently supports 42,539 county residents each month at a cost of $8.67 million. Medi‑Cal provides benefits to 74,971 residents, including more than 20,000 children and nearly 7,000 adults between the ages of 55 and 64.

Rowe told supervisors the new law imposes stricter work requirements on CalFresh recipients and eliminates several long‑standing exemptions. Waivers previously granted because of insufficient job availability will be removed, and eligibility will be limited for groups such as veterans, former foster youth, homeless individuals and some legally present immigrants.

Beginning in October 2026, federal funding for CalFresh administrative costs will be reduced, shifting more responsibility to counties. Rowe said the change will increase Butte County’s share by about $1.3 million annually. Starting in October 2027, states will also be required to pay a portion of CalFresh benefits if their payment error rate exceeds federal thresholds. California’s current error rate of 11.3 percent could result in an estimated $2 billion in additional state costs.

Medi‑Cal recipients ages 19 to 64 will be required to participate in 80 hours per month of work, education or community engagement activities beginning in January 2027. Rowe said the requirement will apply to about 55 percent of Butte County’s Medi‑Cal population. The law also requires eligibility redeterminations every six months instead of annually.

“This will result in a significant increase to administrative workload for county staff, nearly doubling their workload,” Rowe said. 

Soderstrom told the board the stricter Medi‑Cal rules may increase demand for indigent health care services, as more residents could lose coverage. The shift could affect the County Medical Services Program, which provides basic medical care to uninsured adults. She said the county may need to reinstate previously waived participation fees or redirect funds to cover rising costs.

The directors also reported that federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education program, or SNAP‑Ed, was eliminated effective Oct. 1, 2024. Soderstrom said Public Health is working with local partners to transition remaining resources and sustain nutrition education and obesity‑prevention programs.

Supervisors expressed concern about the financial impact on the county and the challenges of serving vulnerable residents under the new requirements. County staff said they are continuing to review federal guidance and explore funding options as implementation deadlines approach. Board members agreed to monitor developments and prepare for adjustments to county budgets and services as HR 1 is phased in.