Kamlager-Dove Convenes Roundtable with Patients and Providers to Highlight Detrimental Impacts of Republican Medicaid Cuts on Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA— Today, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) convened a roundtable discussion at Eisner Health with patients and healthcare providers to address the local impacts of Republican-proposed Medicaid cuts on California's 37th District, which has the fourth-highest Medicaid enrollment in the nation. 

The roundtable included two Medicaid recipients and leaders from Eisner Health, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, St. John’s Community Health, L.A. Care Health Plan, Universal Community Health Center, Venice Family Clinic, Via Care Community Health Center, UMMA Community Clinic, Watts Healthcare Corporation, South Central Family Health Center, Achievable Health, Los Angeles LGBT Center, and LAUSD. 

“House Republicans just passed a budget proposal that would lead to the largest Medicaid cuts in history, taking healthcare away from tens of millions of Americans to fund tax breaks for billionaires like Elon. It has never been clearer that Donald Trump and his Republican Party do not care about the health and well-being of seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families. However, Democrats do care,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “Democrats are fighting to protect Medicaid because it helps everyone, including those in both red and blue districts. Defending and improving this vital program should never be a partisan issue—it's about preserving healthcare in our country.”

“California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, is a lifeline for the patients and families we serve at Eisner Health, as well as for Federally Qualified Health Centers locally, statewide, and across the nation,” said Monica Gutierrez-MCarthy, President & CEO, Eisner Health. “Today’s roundtable, led by Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, underscores the critical role Medicaid plays in ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare. Without it, too many in our community would be left without essential medical services. We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s leadership and commitment to health equity and look forward to collaborating on solutions that strengthen and sustain these critical programs.” 

“Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of people who would otherwise struggle to pay for the care they need and deserve. Roughly 40% of LA residents rely on Medicaid for their care, and one in three of those Medicaid beneficiaries are getting their care at a community health center,” said Louise McCarthy, President & CEO, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. “Medicaid funding cuts would harm access to care for everyone, forcing people to forgo preventive and routine care, ultimately leading to overcrowded emergency rooms and less healthy communities.”

“The Republican plan to cut Medicaid in order to provide tax cuts to billionaires, is cynical and corrupt. Americans have a fundamental human right to health,” said Jim Mangia, President & CEO, St. John’s Community Health. “We will not rest until we defeat any and all attempts to cut healthcare for the American people.”

Last month, House Republicans passed a budget proposal that directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare spending, to find at least $880 billion in savings over ten years. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this is impossible without significantly cutting Medicaid. 

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