The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is being promoted as a significant advancement for efficiency and economic development.
For many of us who’ve had years of experience working with the government, a straightforward principle underpins civic technology: when government programs are designed with real people in mind, trust, effectiveness, and overall efficiency increase.
Yet, this bill, I believe, is misaligned. Rather than enhancing government services, it looks to cut them.
The Congressional Budget Bureau suggests that around 10 million individuals may lose Medicaid, which could also mean that about 2 million people won’t receive food support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It’s alarming how such decisions hit low-income families the hardest, even when everything appears to be in order.
Right now, the key issue is figuring out how states can put these new policies into action while minimizing the impact on those dependent on essential government services.
For over a decade, the Civic Technology Community has aimed to enhance government functions by leveraging digital tools, allowing families to access cash assistance more simply. As the CEO of Code for America, I’ve witnessed the crucial role that effective implementation, rather than just policies, plays in shaping everyday lives.
Collaborating across various states, we’ve identified ways to create government services that are more efficient, cutting costs while improving outcomes for people. In the upcoming months, states will face challenges, including new documentation rules, rising caseloads, and dwindling federal funds. Even amidst this uncertain policy landscape, states have the opportunity to choose methods that respect human dignity while achieving real efficiency. Recognizing the individuals behind the paperwork helps foster empathy rather than viewing them as barriers.
To enhance cost savings, states should actively monitor and update the status of Medicaid-eligible individuals. While eligibility criteria are in place, the process can often become cumbersome, forcing people to separate from their benefits and reapply. This re-registration can be lengthier and pricier than simple updates, resulting in more work for caseworkers and clients alike.
In contrast, states like Minnesota and Colorado have successfully utilized “Ex Parte” updates, which automatically refresh information using available data. In Minnesota, for instance, these updates have cut down the time for caseworkers to handle updates from 70 minutes to just 11 per case. Meanwhile, Colorado’s approach has saved caseworkers over 200 hours each month—translating to roughly $66 million in state savings.
Additionally, states should aim to design applications that are straightforward, use plain language, and are mobile-friendly. When the federal government broadened child tax credits during the pandemic, the IRS rapidly automated benefit delivery by using existing data instead of manually sorting through applications for 60 million children. A tool called getctc made it possible for nearly 200,000 families to claim a collective $685 million, simply by answering straightforward questions on their mobile devices in about 15 minutes.
Cost-effective, user-friendly, and scalable tech solutions should not be ignored. They don’t need to be extravagant to be effective; something as basic as a text reminder can significantly lessen the administrative load and save time for caseworkers.
For example, Louisiana introduced La’message, a text reminder service covering four benefits programs, including Medicaid and SNAP. This service has helped increase updates significantly—37% for SNAP and 67% for Medicaid—by sending timely reminders to recipients during registration and renewal processes.
Boulder County, Colorado, has also utilized text reminders to decrease missed interviews, a common reason for benefit denials, by 10%. This means caseworkers can address issues more effectively, reducing missed opportunities for assistance.
Though this work can be challenging, it’s undeniably rewarding. Every simplified application, every automated update, every text reminder that helps someone maintain their healthcare—these are all wins. These acts of service hold even greater importance when trust in institutions feels fragile. By building government services that genuinely assist people, we don’t just create programs; we rekindle belief in our institutions’ potential to positively impact lives.
This approach could fundamentally transform both government and democracy. And we’ll continue to strive for that.
Amanda Renteria is CEO of Code for America, a leading non-profit organization in civic technology for more than 15 years.
