For SNAP recipients, the shutdown may have seemed like a temporary sacrifice for the greater good. But now, many are left wondering if their efforts were even worth it.
The deal brokered by Democratic senators has essentially erased the progress made on Medicaid cuts and Affordable Care Act subsidies. As a result, millions of Americans will see their premiums skyrocket or lose access to health insurance altogether. The harsh reality is that these recipients' sacrifices have been for nothing.
"I thought we were doing something good for the country," said Natalie, a delivery driver who managed to stretch her SNAP benefits to make them last longer. "But now it feels like it wasn't even worth it."
Natalie's sentiments are echoed by other SNAP recipients who feel betrayed by Democrats' decision to cave in on their concessions. Delight Worthyn, 67, said she was willing to sacrifice her own needs for the greater good, but felt abandoned by the party.
"We sacrificed and we would continue to sacrifice because we understood what the stakes were," Delight said. "But they just wasted it all."
The Intercept spoke with four SNAP recipients who expressed their outrage and frustration at the Democrats' decision. Sasha Slansky, 33, said she is insulted that Democrats used her story to justify caving to Republicans.
"Don't talk about me and my food insecurity to justify kicking people like me off of my health care," Sasha said.
As the shutdown continues, these recipients are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what could have been done differently. They are now forced to confront the harsh reality that their sacrifices may have been for nothing.
The deal brokered by Democratic senators is slated to pass in the House on Wednesday evening, but it's unlikely to change the course of events. Tens of millions of Americans will continue to face uncertainty and hardship as a result of the shutdown.
In this bleak landscape, SNAP recipients are left to wonder if their efforts were ever worth it.
The deal brokered by Democratic senators has essentially erased the progress made on Medicaid cuts and Affordable Care Act subsidies. As a result, millions of Americans will see their premiums skyrocket or lose access to health insurance altogether. The harsh reality is that these recipients' sacrifices have been for nothing.
"I thought we were doing something good for the country," said Natalie, a delivery driver who managed to stretch her SNAP benefits to make them last longer. "But now it feels like it wasn't even worth it."
Natalie's sentiments are echoed by other SNAP recipients who feel betrayed by Democrats' decision to cave in on their concessions. Delight Worthyn, 67, said she was willing to sacrifice her own needs for the greater good, but felt abandoned by the party.
"We sacrificed and we would continue to sacrifice because we understood what the stakes were," Delight said. "But they just wasted it all."
The Intercept spoke with four SNAP recipients who expressed their outrage and frustration at the Democrats' decision. Sasha Slansky, 33, said she is insulted that Democrats used her story to justify caving to Republicans.
"Don't talk about me and my food insecurity to justify kicking people like me off of my health care," Sasha said.
As the shutdown continues, these recipients are left to pick up the pieces and wonder what could have been done differently. They are now forced to confront the harsh reality that their sacrifices may have been for nothing.
The deal brokered by Democratic senators is slated to pass in the House on Wednesday evening, but it's unlikely to change the course of events. Tens of millions of Americans will continue to face uncertainty and hardship as a result of the shutdown.
In this bleak landscape, SNAP recipients are left to wonder if their efforts were ever worth it.
they're literally taking food from people's plates just so they can have a good PR story to brag about later 
and don't even get me started on the fact that democrats are supposed to be the "good guys" but they're caving in to republicans' demands like it's no big deal 
meanwhile, millions of ppl are gonna lose their health insurance and have to suffer for it 
i feel so bad for these delivery drivers like natalie who were struggling to make ends meet on their snap benefits and now it's all being taken away from them 
what a total waste of time
This is so sad 
and Delight 
, they've been so hurt 
. It's like they sacrificed too much 
, but got nothing in return 
. I'm all about people helping each other 
, not playing with people's lives 
.
, but this one feels really bad 
. All those Americans struggling to make ends meet 
will see their health insurance go up 
or disappear 
. It's just not fair 
.
and now they're worried about losing their healthcare 
? That's a lot of stress 
.
like what even is the point of having a party that's supposed to represent us? Delight's words are so true we sacrificed for the greater good but it feels like they just took our trust and threw it out the window 
I mean, come on... these people's lives are literally being held hostage for the sake of politics 
I mean, who needs politics like this? 
. Can't believe we're going back to square one on Medicaid cuts and ACA subsidies. It's just heartbreaking 
They did it for us... not 
, and low-income folks like Delight and Sasha 
. What's the point of even having "bipartisan" bills if they're just gonna get watered down 
I feel so bad for these SNAP recipients who just wanted to help out but got taken advantage of! 
This whole thing is just a mess... I mean, who wants to be the poster child for a deal that's going to hurt people? 
like what even is the point of sacrificing if we're just gonna cave to republicans? 
.
. And what's even worse is that these people are literally putting food on the table with SNAP benefits 
. I feel so bad for them, and I don't think this is going to make anyone happy, especially not those who were counting on it 