California Families Brace for Major Medicaid Cuts Impacting Care

As significant cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs loom, families in California are preparing for a disruption in crucial healthcare and support services. The changes come after the passage of the Republican-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which will reduce federal spending on Medicaid by approximately $1 trillion over the next decade. This legislation, along with prior cuts initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency, threatens the stability of federally funded healthcare and nutrition programs that serve low-income individuals.

Seven-year-old Elijah Maldonado from Orange County has relied on Medicaid for essential treatments since his birth at just 29 weeks. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, he receives vital physical and speech therapy, along with additional services funded through Medicaid. His family depends on a government-funded wheelchair and an assistant to ensure his safety during school commutes. Monthly, Elijah receives a $957 disability check that helps his family manage living expenses. However, with impending cuts, his family’s access to these critical resources is at risk.

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his dismay over the cuts, stating that they would unjustly deprive vulnerable populations of necessary healthcare. “This is ripping care from cancer patients, meals from children, and money from working families,” he said. In Los Angeles County, where nearly 40% of the population relies on Medi-Cal, budget cuts are projected to reach $750 million annually. The county’s Department of Public Health expects a $200 million decrease in federal funding, which has prompted hiring freezes and forecasts of increasing budget deficits.

According to the California Budget Policy Center, more than 5 million households rely on food assistance through the state’s CalFresh program, with approximately 97% of these families facing cuts to their benefits. The anticipated reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could exceed $280 billion over the next decade, leaving millions of low-income individuals without adequate access to nutritious food.

In Orange County, public health officials are already feeling the impact of prior federal funding cuts. Dr. Veronica Kelley, director of the OC Health Care Agency, highlighted the challenges posed by a $13.2 million reduction in family planning services and a $4 million cut to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. As the agency grapples with potential reductions to programs addressing obesity and senior health, Kelley noted, “It’s chaotic. In terms of healthcare, it’s devastating… It feels like we’re taking so many steps backward.”

The situation has raised concerns at Kaiser Permanente, California’s largest private healthcare provider. With approximately 1.1 million Medi-Cal enrollees, Kaiser warned that lack of access to healthcare could lead to more severe health conditions, increased use of emergency services, and higher costs for all patients. “Without the ability to pay, newly uninsured people will find themselves having to delay care,” said Kaiser Permanente Southern California Regional spokeswoman Candice Lee.

Elijah’s family, including his mother Samantha Rios and grandmother Josephine Rios, are among those directly affected. Josephine, a nursing assistant, has witnessed the anxiety of patients rushing to schedule procedures before the cuts take effect. Although Rep. Young Kim, representing their district, initially showed support for opposing spending cuts, she ultimately voted for the bill, which she claimed would benefit Californians.

The upcoming cuts have forced Samantha to navigate financial challenges. After losing Medicaid coverage for herself and her two daughters due to new income requirements, she now relies on a local food pantry to supplement her family’s needs. Her worries intensified as she learned that Elijah would also lose his monthly Social Security Insurance due to stricter income thresholds, leaving her to ponder how to manage basic expenses like rent and groceries.

While Elijah’s therapies remain safe for now, Samantha questions what will happen to other families without similar support systems. “What’s going to happen to other families who don’t have that support system?” she asked. The uncertainty surrounding funding for home-based healthcare and caregivers poses a dire threat to families like Elijah’s.

Cassandra, Elijah’s aunt and primary caregiver, fears the potential loss of funding for essential services. “People think that cutting Medi-Cal or food stamps isn’t going to affect that many people,” she said. “It’s affecting my nephew and nieces. It’s affecting my sister.”

As the family gathers, they express their desire for understanding from lawmakers and the public about the real impact of these decisions. “We’re not saying we’re going to Disneyland or going out to eat every day,” Cassandra explained. “This is just living. We can’t even live at this point, with things being cut.”

Samantha added, “We lack humanity.” The family’s plea for empathy reflects a broader concern as millions face similar challenges due to impending cuts to vital healthcare and nutrition assistance programs.