Cynthia Williams stood before a packed crowd in Tustin, California, expressing her anger over proposed cuts to Medicaid. The 61-year-old mother and caregiver spoke passionately about how crucial the program is for her family. Williams cares for her adult daughter, who is blind, and her sister, a military veteran suffering from severe PTSD. The state’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, helps support her family financially.
"We shouldn’t have to be here tonight," Williams told the audience of over 200 people at a recent town hall meeting. "We should be home, spending time with our loved ones, but we’re here to fight, because when politicians try to take away our health care, we can’t just sit back."
The urgency of the meeting stemmed from a recent vote by House Republicans to approve a budget plan that could cut Medicaid funding by $880 billion over the next decade. This plan is part of a larger strategy to extend tax cuts from former President Donald Trump’s administration, which could total $4.5 trillion. Such significant cuts would deeply affect California, where nearly 15 million people rely on Medi-Cal, accounting for more than a third of the state’s population.
Williams was not alone in her concerns. Other attendees shared their stories, highlighting the real-life impacts of potential cuts. Josephine Rios, a nursing assistant, described how her grandson, who has cerebral palsy, relies on Medi-Cal for vital treatments, including a costly medication that helps control his seizures. "To cut Medicaid, that’s like saying he can’t live," Rios said, emphasizing the life-and-death stakes involved.
Public sentiment appears to be against the cuts. A recent survey indicated that two-thirds of Californians, regardless of political affiliation, oppose reductions to Medi-Cal. The town hall was organized by a coalition called “Fight for Our Health,” which aims to mobilize communities against the proposed cuts, particularly targeting Republican representatives in politically competitive districts.
Among those representatives is Young Kim, a Republican whose district includes Tustin. She did not attend the town hall, prompting frustration from her constituents. Attendees made their feelings known, with one moment highlighting her absence by displaying an empty chair on a screen with a message that read, "Congresswoman Kim, we saved you a seat."
Critics of the budget cuts argue that they favor the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable populations. Supporters, however, claim that the tax cuts are necessary to prevent tax increases for average Americans. Rep. Ken Calvert, who voted for the budget, stated that he is committed to protecting the healthcare safety net but did not provide assurances regarding Medicaid.
As the debate continues, many in the community remain worried about the future of health care for their loved ones. Beth Martinko, a mother of a disabled son, voiced her concerns, saying it’s a moral obligation to care for the most disadvantaged. "This has no place in politics," she remarked, underscoring the emotional weight of the ongoing discussions surrounding health care and Medicaid funding.