Rep. Mike Levin, Doctors & Patients Condemn Catastrophic Cuts to Medicaid & Medi-Cal That Threaten Health Care Services for Seniors & Families
Watch full press conference here
Vista, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by doctors, caregivers, and patients with Medi-Cal at Vista Knoll Specialized Care to denounce the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ efforts to gut Medicaid funding, known in California as Medi-Cal.
In the recently passed budget, House Republicans’ proposed $880 billion cuts to Medicaid would slash critical resources for hospitals and nursing homes and threaten seniors’ access to affordable health care. It would halt services and endanger care for thousands of patients in Southern California in order to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.
Medicaid provides health care coverage to 87 million Americans, 1 in 3 Californians, and 1 in 10 veterans. Without Medicaid, seniors, children, and people with disabilities would lose access to doctors, medications, nursing care, and services that keep them healthy and thriving.
At Vista Knoll Specialized Care, 60% of residents rely on Medi-Cal for essential nursing care. Cuts to Medicaid funding would mean nursing home closures, job losses for healthcare workers, and reduced access to doctors and hospitals.
“House Republicans and Donald Trump are pushing the largest Medicaid cut in American history. It’s not just reckless—it’s shameful,” said Rep. Levin. “House Republicans want to rip away health care from kids with disabilities, seniors in nursing homes, and veterans all to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk.”
One of the most dangerous parts of the Congressional Republicans’ plan is the attack on the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, or FMAP. FMAP is the formula that determines how much federal funding California gets for Medicaid. Currently, the federal government covers 50% of California’s Medicaid costs, meaning for every dollar the state spends, the federal government matches it with another dollar. This allows California to provide health care for millions of residents, including the one in three Californians who rely on Medi-Cal. Congressional Republicans want to slash FMAP funding and force the state either to fill the funding gap or cut health care services.
“In America, your health care should not depend on the size of your bank account. No senior, no veteran, no child with a disability, and no family should ever have to suffer just so the ultrawealthy can get a tax break,” said Rep. Levin. “We’re going to fight to stop this scam and protect Medicaid for the millions of Americans who count on it every day.”
As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Levin is fighting to ensure Medicaid is fully funded, community health centers have the resources they need to treat patients, and that the Trump Administration is held accountable for any attempts to strip away health care.
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