Rep. Mike Levin Blasts GOP “Big Ugly Bill” That Would Hike Costs and Cut Critical Services for San Diego Families
Encinitas, CA – Today, Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) joined community leaders at TrueCare Encinitas to condemn the House GOP’s so-called “Big Ugly Bill.” The package would take health care from millions of people, slash food assistance, and drive up household energy costs.
“This bill will rob working families just so Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans can hand out even bigger tax breaks to Big Oil and billionaires like Elon Musk,” said Rep. Levin. “It’s not just misguided, it’s cruel. This bill is a betrayal of every American who values economic fairness and who thinks we should be looking out for the hungry senior rather than the ultrawealthy mega-donor.”
Levin was joined by speakers including Anthony White of TrueCare; Jeff Ladman, a constituent whose family depends on Medicaid; Casey Castillo of the San Diego Food Bank; and Dan Dominguez of the Oceanside Manufactured Home Fair Practices Commission, who highlighted how the bill’s energy cost increases would hurt local seniors.
During his remarks, Levin detailed the stakes for California and his district if the bill becomes law:
- 14 million Americans, including nearly two million Californians and 25,000 in Rep. Levin’s district, could lose health coverage.
- Cuts to Medicaid would put health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals at risk of closure.
- The bill triggers $500 billion in automatic Medicare cuts, risking higher premiums and reduced access for seniors.
- More than three million people nationwide could lose SNAP benefits, including families, veterans, and children.
- Energy bills could rise by as much as $415 a year per household because of provisions eliminating clean energy tax credits.
"As the leading hunger-relief organization in San Diego County, the San Diego Food Bank believes that enrolling eligible individuals and families in SNAP is one of the most effective ways to reduce hunger,” said Casey Castillo, CEO, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. “However, recently proposed changes to SNAP will result in fewer food insecure individuals and families receiving these important benefits. The San Diego Food Bank is ready to meet these challenges head on and is committed to advocating for our seniors, veterans, and children who experience hunger every day."
“Cuts to Medicaid will destabilize California’s health care system and put millions of lives at risk,” said Anthony White, TrueCare’s Vice President of Government & Community Affairs. “At TrueCare, more than 70% of our patients are covered by Medi-Cal. The proposed Medicaid cuts would force California to ration care, shrink eligibility, reduce benefits, and cut payments to providers. Our community will lose access to services and suffer deeply as a result.”
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Rep. Levin is urging his Republican colleagues to reject it and prevent its extreme provisions from hurting millions of Americans.
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