FULLERTON, Calif. — As Congress prepares to resume budget negotiations in May, local communities and health advocates are speaking out against proposed cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), which provides medical assistance to low-income individuals.
Voicing strong opposition to the potential funding reduction, Asian American, Latino, and disability rights groups held a press conference on April 16 to underscore the life-and-death importance of Medi-Cal. They called on U.S. Representative Young Kim (R–CA 40th District), who represents a large portion of Orange County, to oppose the proposed cuts.
Hosted jointly by advocacy organizations Fight for Our Health and American Community Media (ACoM), the event took place at the Nguoi Viet Media Center in Westminster—a central hub for the local Vietnamese community. Advocates warned that if the cuts pass, they could result in hospital closures, disruptions in care, and skyrocketing prescription drug prices.
Medi-Cal recipients, medical professionals, and community organizers shared first-hand stories about how the cuts would impact local residents.
Michelle Del Rosario attended the event with her 24-year-old son William, who has autism and epilepsy. “According to a federal report, one in every 31 children is now diagnosed with autism,” she said. “In a time like this, I can’t understand the rationale for reducing the very services that help our children.”
William, who is nonverbal, used a speech device to explain that Medi-Cal has played a life-saving role for him. “Without Medi-Cal, I could not afford the medication that has kept me seizure-free for the past 12 years,” he said. “If services are cut, I will become isolated from my community and be left merely to survive, not live.”
Michael Odeh, executive director of the nonprofit Children Now, warned that the proposed cuts could lead to a $13 billion shortfall in California’s healthcare budget next year alone. “That amount equals the entire annual Medi-Cal spending for all of Orange County,” he said.
According to congressional sources, federal lawmakers have agreed to target Medicaid in a plan to reduce national healthcare spending by $880 billion over the next ten years. If passed, the legislation would result in a $13 billion annual shortfall for California.
Some Republicans in Congress argue that the cuts would reduce waste and fraud within the Medicaid program and increase fiscal efficiency. However, healthcare professionals insist that these problems should not be solved at the expense of those who rely on the services most.
Dr. Quyen Kieu, a pediatrician at Miyoko Medical Center in Fountain Valley, noted that 40 percent of expectant mothers in Orange County depend on Medi-Cal for prenatal care. “Even though the cuts haven’t taken effect yet, 20 percent of OB-GYN clinics in the area have already closed,” she said.
She emphasized that Medi-Cal is not limited to check-ups. “It includes immunizations, mental health support, vision and dental screenings, and emergency care. Cutting this program is equivalent to giving up on our children’s health and future.”
According to data released last September by the California Department of Public Health, 157,000 residents—or 21 percent—of Rep. Young Kim’s 40th District are enrolled in Medi-Cal. Of those, more than 52,000 are under the age of 19. That’s about three out of every ten children in the district.
Statewide, over 5.5 million children under 21 receive Medi-Cal benefits. That number represents 53 percent of California’s youth population. County-level data shows that Los Angeles has 1.38 million Medi-Cal-enrolled children, followed by Riverside with 425,000, San Bernardino with 411,000, San Diego with 380,000, and Orange County with more than 354,000.
Congresswoman Young Kim stated on April 22 that she will not support any budget resolution that fails to protect the most vulnerable members of the community.
“A budget resolution that does not protect vital Medicaid services for the most vulnerable citizens in my community will not receive my vote,” Rep. Young Kim said. “I’ve made this clear to my constituents and to House leadership and will continue to do so.”
Her office confirmed that Rep. Kim recently sent a letter to House leadership stressing the importance of Medicaid services to her district. Spokesperson Kelly Stroh stated, “Rep. Kim is committed to protecting and strengthening our healthcare system, including vital Medicaid services for our most vulnerable, and has worked across the aisle to expand access to care for her constituents.”
Congress is expected to begin committee review of the budget proposal by the end of April. A full vote on the floor could happen as early as mid-May. If passed, the cuts could take effect in October when the new fiscal year begins.
Community groups are planning to intensify their advocacy ahead of the vote.
Sandy Close, executive director of ACoM and co-organizer of the press conference, said the proposed budget cuts affect more than just children and people with disabilities. “This is not just about one group—it’s about all of us,” she said. “When clinics shut down and hospitals get overcrowded, everyone pays the price. Now is the time to act.”
Feature image via Flickr published under CC License 2.0
