Rep. Mike Levin, Medical Providers & Patients Demand No Cuts to Medicaid Funding
Congressional Republicans’ Budget Proposal Would Slash Trillions from Medicaid for Tax Cuts to the Wealthiest Americans
Vista, CA- Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49), medical providers, and patients with Medi-Cal demanded that Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration halt proposals to cut Medicaid funding and endanger health care services for millions of Americans.
Congressional Republicans’ recent budget proposal, which is slated to be voted on by the full House of Representatives in the coming weeks, would slash trillions of dollars from Medicaid in order to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. This budget proposal would threaten health care coverage for 80 million adults and children across the country, force community health centers to cut services or close, and leave hospitals to struggle to take care of patients. In the 49th Congressional District, 82,062 people on Medicaid are at risk of losing their health care under Congressional Republicans’ budget plans. This includes 32,896 children under the age of 19 and 9,892 seniors over 65 in the district.
“We don’t have to guess what happens when Medicaid funding is slashed. We’ve seen it before. These proposed cuts would hit Vista Community Clinic and health centers like it the hardest. Clinics could be forced to lay off staff, cut programs, and reduce the number of patients they can treat. Patients could lose access to preventative care, end up in emergency rooms, and face skyrocketing medical bills,” said Rep. Levin. “Congressional Republicans want to cut Medicaid to pay for massive tax breaks to the ultrawealthy and giant corporations. They are telling working families, seniors, and people with disabilities that it is OK for them to get sicker so that billionaires like Elon Musk can get even richer.”
Rep. Levin highlighted several dangerous parts of Congressional Republicans’ plans to attack Medicaid and health care that would directly impact California.
One of the most dangerous parts 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.
Congressional Republicans are also pushing per capita caps on Medicaid, which would limit federal funding without consideration for need for care or population growth. This would place an arbitrary limit on California, forcing the state to cut services.
Rep. Levin also raised alarms about the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, potentially interfering with sensitive Medicare and Medicaid data. This raises concern that our country’s health care system could be dismantled by the unelected Elon Musk.
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.
"Today’s press conference was a powerful reminder of what’s at stake for millions of Californians who rely on Medi-Cal. We heard firsthand how essential this program is in ensuring access to healthcare for individuals and families who might otherwise go without. Cutting Medi-Cal and MediCare funding isn’t just a policy decision, it’s a decision that impacts real people, their health, and their futures. We are grateful to Congressman Levin for standing with us in the fight to protect Medi-Cal, and we urge all policymakers to prioritize the well-being of our communities by keeping this vital program fully funded,” said Fernando Sañudo, Chief Executive Officer of Vista Community Clinic
“Protect Our Care is so thankful for health care champions like Representative Levin who are standing up to defend Medi-Cal from GOP cuts. Trump and Elon Musk want tax cuts for the richest Americans paid for by cutting health care for millions of Americans. We can’t let them win.,” said Nicole Serrano, Political Director, Protect Our Care California.